Today we’d like to introduce you to Amber Andersen.
Hi Amber, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I have what I like to call a sixth sense; I have the incredible ability to see music and sounds as color, movement, textures, and patterns, known as synesthesia. I assumed everyone had this ability, and realizing they didn’t is a recent discovery.
Growing up, I was always private, shy, and a wallflower, and I was not one to be in the limelight
I was also deeply connected and passionate about the arts, especially music, but I didn’t start expressing that passion until I was in my late teens.
Music was so powerful to me, it was something that was heard and felt but also seen. However, I didn’t understand why the conversations I had with my friends didn’t seem to click.
To my inner circles, I would say things like, “I love the texture and pattern of the chorus that this song has,” or “I think that bubblegum color is so pretty in that harmony.”
I would ask questions like, “Do you see Thursday as brown and Friday as a deep navy color?” But, of course, no one knew what I was talking about and thought it was all nonsense. So finally, I started to think something was wrong with me or that I was crazy, so I continued to keep things to myself.
Then I learned something fascinating during my high school psychology class that shook my world. We learned about a rare phenomenon called synesthesia- the automatic and involuntary combining or crossover of senses.
My teacher explained that there are many different variations, such as some people assign colors and sometimes personalities to letters and numbers. Some people can taste sounds. Others can see color from sounds, noises, and music. Another variation is that people view time abstractly, usually with an assigned location and color.
Before this class, I believed that it was normal for everyone to see things that I did, but now that only 2-4% of the population have a type of synesthesia, I learned that I had a unique perspective of the world around me.
In that class, I raised my hand and said, “I have that; that’s how I see music and time!” All the heads looked at me. I felt so vulnerable and exposed, yet I decided to embrace it. My teacher described my world perfectly, and it was relieving to know I wasn’t crazy, but there was a scientific name for my condition. That was my first exposure to understanding synesthesia, and from that moment, I decided I wanted to try to invite people into my world and describe what I saw.
I went home and started talking to my family about it, they had no idea that’s how I perceived the world, and I had no idea that they didn’t see it that way. My grandfather was a professor of neuropsychology at UCLA back in the 60s. I went to him and started to describe what I was experiencing, and his eyes lit up; before I could finish, he excitedly yelled, “You have synesthesia!!” After that, I started to feel understood and feel seen.
Fast forward a few years later, I saw a video about a synesthesia artist named Melissa McCracken, who painted songs. She was the first person I noticed that not only understood my world but was thriving in it. She inspired me to try to share how I see music by expressing it through the same medium – painting. So, in 2016, I experimented with my first song-based painting (“A Walk” by Tycho). I never took any art classes or formal training, but I was thrilled to finally have a way to communicate what was happening inside my head.
Over time I researched the types of synesthesia and how my experience compared to others that also have it. Was it a universal experience, or is it individualized for everyone? I learned I was among some famous people with synesthesia, including Hans Zimmer, Vincent Van Gogh, Billie Eilish, Kanye West, Nikola Tesla, Geoffrey Rush, Pharrell Williams, and many more.
I have three types of crossover synesthesia (there are about 35 different types):
1. Chromesthesia (Sound to color)- when I listen to music, I hear the music and see it as a visualized, colorful form.
2. Grapheme synesthesia – Letters and numbers have assigned colors.
3. Time-space synesthesia- time has a specific location and color. This applies to minutes, hours, days, months, and years.
Since painting my first song, I have combined my passion for the arts and music with my synesthesia to create over 60 different song-based paintings and counting. I try to capture the essence of each song as a single frame or shot on the canvas. I set up a website and a business selling prints and originals and now commissioned work for my paintings.
I love how music tells a story or how it enhances feelings and memories. As an artist, each song I paint is so special to me because even if I don’t always like the audio part of a song, there is always the visual part. My goal through my artwork is to invite people into my world and cultivate unique connections with their favorite songs in a way never before seen.
With commissioned projects, I love knowing the reason or significance behind the song someone has picked and that I can add an extra layer of meaningfulness to their favorite song. My paintings are for those that want to celebrate and be reminded of their favorite song or music through a new, visualized, and immortalized medium.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Many people were shocked when I was quiet my whole life and kept things to myself; then, one day, I became vocally passionate about my synesthesia and pursued a path to becoming an artist. It was a true leap of faith to put myself out there the way I did.
Additionally, I had to learn to tackle Imposter Syndrome (which I still struggle with) and learn how to market myself and my artwork. But I think it’s common for any artist to share that struggle. Over time these mental hurdles have become more manageable because I have had incredible support along the way.
As a synesthesia artist, a few challenges have come up just because of the nature of my work.
For example:
– My artwork always requires an explanation every time, and it’s not simply abstract art. So how can I get that message across as quickly as possible?
– Would people think my art is still exciting and beautiful enough that they would want to buy it and display it without knowing the context?
– I can’t guarantee how a painting will look until it’s finished. For example, while listening to a song, I can get a good idea of the colors and movement, but I haven’t learned painting techniques, so I’m learning as I go. I can’t create an accurate representation of some songs. Especially since the colors are constantly moving and changing, I have to make some decisions as an artist about what will make the most sense for the integrity of the song.
-The follow-up problem with not knowing how a painting will look until the end also means if someone is commissioning a song, it’s like a surprise for them, too! Most people that have done a commission from me understand that and like that element of surprise. On the other hand, may a few people get disappointed because it wasn’t how *they* imagined it, or maybe they wanted something specific, or it didn’t match their current home style.
As you know, we’re big fans of Painted Playlist LLC. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
I am a synesthesia-based artist who creates vibrant, abstract, yet meaningful paintings capturing the essence of how specific songs look to me. Synesthesia is a blending of multiple senses or modalities; in this case, it causes me to see colors, movement, patterns, and textures when listening to music or sound.
My artwork is for people who want art used as a conversation piece or focal point in their home so that they can celebrate and be reminded of their favorite song through an immortalized medium. My paintings are unique because they enhance emotions and connections where words and melodies stop.
I have created over 60 different song pieces and counting. I offer photo prints, perfect for small spaces, gifts, or as a budget-friendly option. There is a small collection of originals for those that want to add life to their walls without breaking the bank that is also available. And finally, commissions have reopened for those who want the opportunity to choose their favorite song.
Additionally, you can follow my social media to see my creating process and learn how synesthesia affects my daily life.
Who else deserves credit for your story?
As mentioned earlier, I didn’t even consider selling my artwork and turning it into a business. However, my family and some close friends were the ones that brought up the idea of making that transition and encouraged me to take that risk. They were the ones who also acted as my safety net while I built up the courage to make this dream into reality.
Over the last few years, I have gained a few superfans- a few friends that have purchased multiple originals or commissions and expressed their excitement whenever I have something new to share. For example, one friend has purchased several pieces and made them centerpieces for different rooms in her home that she and her husband have been redoing. Seeing so many people interested in my work has been flattering and humbling.
My biggest supporter has been my husband, Israel. Since our first date, he has invested in my ability and work. He goes above and beyond what I could ever ask for, making me feel validated and inspired to grow as an artist, even when fear and doubt kick in. I have taken the largest leaps because of his support.
Pricing:
- Giclee Prints $20-145
- Originals $260-695
- Commissions start at $400 depending on the project.
Contact Info:
- Website: paintedplaylist.com
- Instagram: @paintedplaylist
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PaintedPlaylist
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6D3GkkxUA0QSjtZQ69KNtg
- TikTok: @paintedplaylist
Image Credits
Mark Andersen -Silver Lake Studios and Israel Bonilla Painted Playlist
