Amber Janay Interview

Tell us a bit about yourself. Who you are, where you're from and what you do!

My name is Amber (she/her or they/them) and I'm a Washington, DC-based collage artist. I am originally from GA but have spent most of my post-high school life in Virginia and now DC.

How did you get your start as an artist?

What a question. I believe that I had an artist streak as a child that I didn't quite catch onto back then. I am 80% sure two of my most successful art projects in school were collage art. I started my current collage art practice in July of 2022 as a therapy exercise to turn off autopilot and engage my brain/hands in a different way. I was instantly consumed by it. I made at least one collage almost every day. I didn't start calling myself an artist until a few months later. I had to unlearn the conditioned gatekeeping around who "gets to" call themselves an artist.

What do you love most about what you do?

Collaging for me is about allowance. Whereas in other areas of life restricting impulses can be appropriate (like walking into a bookstore to "browse"), I get to say Yes to everything in my art. That's why it's so alluring. At times, the outcome freaks me out. I'm used to keeping things in my head - dreams, visions, questions, phrases, just my imagination generally. I don't go into a collage with a final image in mind. I put things together, stare at it for a while, change things slightly or entirely, rip rather than cut. The best feeling is when everything starts to lock into place. I feel the relief and the motivation in my head, hands, and shoulders, and then I'm ready to glue! When it's all said and done and I look at the finished piece I realize that there are collages with answers and collages that stimulate more questions about...well, everything.

What do you find the most challenging?

Minding my other adult responsibilities! No matter what I have to do in a day, my paper scraps and cutouts and magazines and thrifted books are constantly calling. I see collage everywhere. It's honestly exhausting, but in such an irresistible way. Why is that challenging? Because the dishes need to be done, the groceries need to be ordered and picked up, and I must put away the clean laundry in order to function.

“Collaging for me is about allowance. Whereas in other areas of life restricting impulses can be appropriate (like walking into a bookstore to “browse”), I get to say Yes to everything in my art. That’s why it’s so alluring.”

— Amber Janay

Who is another artist you admire most and why?

I'm going to stretch the question here and shout out two artists, both of whom I met on Instagram. Marcus (@marcusdspeaks) and Nancy (@nanceybprice) almost immediately embraced me and my work when I started sharing my collages on social media less than a year ago. I feel like Marcus and I are classmates coming up in school together. We started collaging around the same time in 2022. Marcus is super kind, talented, humble, and always willing to promote someone else and share opportunities. I've learned about so many artists from following his IG stories. I also own his piece "Kinfolk" and look forward to collecting more of his work. Nancy is so sweet and funny and good at what she does! We're both from Georgia so I feel that connection with her and I am so into the folk roots of her work and also the space imagery that she uses. She's my gold leaf queen!

Top three songs you keep on repeat:

At the moment my top three songs:
"Endlessly" by Kali Uchis, "Les Fleurs" by Minnie Riperton, and "I Wish You Love" by Laufey.
Everyone needs to listen to Laufey, especially her live album.

“While I hope this practice doesn’t turn into a “hustle,” I do believe I was meant to share what I’ve created. The idea is to do that as sustainably as possible and to grow at my own pace.”

— Amber Janay

How do you fuel for the day?

When I'm mindful about eating breakfast, I love an omelette or egg scramble with veggies in the morning. I'll also spend some time staring out of the window just gathering my thoughts. I will say however, over the past few years I've embraced having levels throughout the day instead of trying to power through and fire on all cylinders all day long. I need long on and off ramps to the day's business (and a few side quests or breaks) . These days I rest by reading a book on the stoop of my apartment building, or I take a short stroll, or I run errands (again, walking slowly), or I watch my comfort shows. I love to lounge. One thing is for sure: I'm going to need a snack before/during/after I do anything! Haha. Also, I'm a homebody. Open windows and a good breeze or some fresh air gets me moving too.

Tell us about your vision for the future? Go big! We want to root you on!

I do want to sell prints by the end of the year so I'm trying to stay on task to make that happen. While I hope this practice doesn't turn into a "hustle," I do believe I was meant to share what I've created. The idea is to do that as sustainably as possible and to grow at my own pace. Our society makes everything seem urgent and scarce, and social media can be so inconsistent. I don't want to buy into all of that. I use my Instagram as my portfolio for now, and I look forward to building community outside of social media also. Also, one of my big dreams is writing, and now illustrating via collage, a children's book.

Amber Janay
@ambers_innerworld