It was the headline that drew me in: "One artist's quest to capture her travels led to these stunning portraits of wild women." 

I dug into the upworthy article, impressed by this interesting, adventurous, traveling artist. I think you'll be intrigued, too. Amanda Sandlin is an artist, writer, and climber living in Denver when she’s not roaming about the mountains with her rescue pup, Dewey. She’s the creator of the #atwildwoman and is currently working on a fall collection of original works.

Her art is extraordinary - it's all about including women in nature. But you've never seen women in nature like this before.

They fully embrace each landscape, glorying in the wind, reveling in the sunset, peacefully contemplating the view.

With clear, strong lines, Sandlin truly captures the essence of wild woman, whether it is nature herself, or ourselves within it.

Fall into her art, feel the wind in your hair, enjoy the view. 

How long have you been an artist?
3 years.

Is your art your full-time career?
Yes, along with a freelance graphic design and illustration.

Where do you work?  How long have you been there?
I have been self-employed for about 2.5 years.

Do you have favorite places you like to create?
I have a small studio in my basement where I do the majority of my painting. I find art as a two-part affair. Part one, I am gathering inspiration and information out in the world, often through climbing, traveling, and going to galleries and museums. Part two, I return to the studio to develop and play with my new ideas.

What does a typical day look like? Is there a typical day?
To be honest, it’s pretty similar to most 9-to-5 days — I wake up, do coffee and breakfast, check emails, formulate my day’s to-dos, and spend the majority of my time fulfilling print orders, going back and forth with clients, and figuring out the next steps in my business. As my business is shifting from being primarily client-based to now art-based, I hope to start spending more time in the studio creating, rather than at my computer.

What materials do you prefer?
Acrylic, pen, pencil, and I am starting to get into fabric. I love to feel different textures and the richness of color in different fabrics.

Where/how are you inspired?
Almost always while I am out in nature, or when I am consuming others’ works. I am often inspired by details in the wild, like the texture of a tree or the color of lichen on a rock. When I leave a museum, I am eager to get back in the studio, but I like to balance that with time in nature in hope of finding some form of originality.

How do you know when your piece is done?
I am still learning! Lately I’ve been setting deadlines for myself so I am forced to move on. It’s so easy to over-do a piece. Less is more, and I often find it’s just a feeling.

Do you work on one or more pieces at a time?
Yes, I usually have 5-7 pieces in progress at once.

If you were not an artist, what would you do?
I think I would be a baker. Or a politician. It’d be a toss up. You know, because they’re so closely related. :)

How can our readers find and purchase your art?
On my website! www.amandasandlin.com/shop 

Follow Amanda on Instagram at @amandsandlin for more inspiration, and @amandasendlin for fun, creative climbing art.

All photos courtesy and copyright Amanda Sandlin