SOUTH East artist Amber Gittins is making a name for herself in the creative world after rebooting her career only 12 months ago.
Ms Gittins has long had a passion for painting, but only recently started to take her craft more seriously, becoming more prolific in her work, supporting charities and securing commissions.
Currently working as a graphic designer and holding a Bachelor Degree of Visual Communications, art is part of her everyday life, but she does not take a break when she gets home.
With more than 9000 Instagram followers and her own website, Ms Gittins is selling an average of two paintings every week with each taking up to a week to complete.
“Everything has taken off so well,” Ms Gittins said.
“I only started my Instagram page a year ago and I can not believe how many people out there love my work.
“I have people all over the world contacting me on my page – I have been incredibly busy producing the work, but I love everything I do.”
Describing herself as an abstract expressionist, her artworks are nature-inspired floral and landscape pieces, all following a similar theme.
Since branching out in her career, Ms Gittins has been contacted by various businesses and charities commissioning pieces.
Her artwork can now be seen at places such as Canvas Suites in Melbourne, which is a series of apartments in the city displaying Australian artist work.
Ms Gittins was also approached by the Starlight Children’s Foundation earlier this year seeking artwork donations for the charity’s Five Chefs Dinner in Brisbane.
The painting she donated raised more than $2000 for the cause, which was much more than she expected.
“I could not believe it when they told me how much it had raised,” Ms Gittins said.
“It was an amazing thing to just be asked to donate and then to have my art help so much was overwhelming.”
The foundation asked Ms Gittins if she would be interested in painting for the cause again and another piece will go to auction at an Adelaide dinner later this month.
Ms Gittins has also donated a painting to Epilepsy Australia – which raised $300 – and is currently creating two works to be donated to the Art for Bales cause supporting struggling farmers.
“I am really proud to have the opportunity to support all of these causes,” she said.
“If my art is helping those who need it then I am more than happy to do as much as I can.”
With such a busy past 12 months, Ms Gittins hopes her success can inspire other budding artists to branch out.
“It is great to be recognised when you live in such a small community,” she said.
“It is hard being away from the cities – we lack resources in the region, so just having enough supplies to create is tough, not to mention the limited contacts available to us.
“But the beauty of the internet is I can reach such a broad audience, it does not matter where I am from, everyone can see and appreciate each other’s skills.”
Ms Gittins is now focusing on her goal of creating beautiful pieces for art lovers across the globe.
“Being an artist is where I find my peace and happiness and it is who I need to be,” she said.
“Ultimately I hope that people find a sense of personal beauty in my art that conveys their own happiness.
“I also hope that my art invokes an inner respect for nature and the land that we live in so we can maintain this beauty and growth for many generations to come.”
Visit @ambergittinsart on Instagram to keep up with her creations.
