Art
for Art's Sake
234 C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • S U M M E R / F A L L 2 0 1 7
A m a n d a B u r k m a n Fo l l ow s H e r O w n M u s e
B Y L A R RY H A R L A N D
M
OST OF US FREEZE AT THE PROVERBIAL FORK IN THE ROAD.
AMANDA BURKMAN CREATED HER OWN FORK, AND HAPPILY
SKIPPED DOWN AN ALTERNATE PATH IN SEARCH OF HER TRUE SELF.
THE ASPIRING ARTIST CREATED AN OPTION—QUITTING HER CORPORATE
JOB TO TRAVEL THE WORLD, USING ART AS HER CURRENCY.
"I DIDN'T HAVE ANY PLAN, JUST TRUSTED IT WOULD WORK," SHE SAYS.
"A FRIEND ASKED ME TO DESIGN HIS TATTOO, AND HE TOOK ME WITH HIM."
ALONG THE WAY, BURKMAN CREATED FIVE PAINTINGS AND A BACK TATTOO
FOR HER FRIEND. GLOBAL TRADE.
BURKMAN RETURNED TO MONTEREY WITH NEW PERSPECTIVE, AND NO
NEED FOR A CONVENTIONAL JOB. SHE BEGAN BARTERING FOR NECESSITIES.
SHE PAINTED A FRIEND'S HOUSE. SHE CREATED A MURAL AT CHAMISAL TENNIS
AND FITNESS CLUB, LIVING FOR A TIME WITH THE OWNERS. SHE HOUSE-SAT
AND CARED FOR PETS, ANYTHING TO BUY TIME AND UNCOVER HER GIFTS.
