"My work is inspired by stories and is meant to inspire stories. I love to add adventure and magic to my paintings and let the viewer decide what that story is, so the narrative is always changing and alive."

Artist Andrea Doss paints whimsical scenes inspired by storybooks and fairy tales. Her artwork personifies animal friendships and adventures, with each painting carrying its own narrative. Andrea grew up reading illustrated books and dreamed of becoming a writer. She studied English and art in college, which reinforces her passion for visual storytelling. Andrea lives in Texas and works from her home, always closely supervised by her fuzzy cat.

In this interview, Andrea shares her creative journey and the inspirations behind her art.

Do you have other creative hobbies?-

I enjoy creativity in many forms, from baking bread and gardening to writing poetry, as well as tabletop gaming, home renovations, and writing. When I’m not painting, I am finding another way to channel my inner muse.

What are you most proud of—whether in art or another part of your life?

I have recently completed the illustrations for the fourteenth book in my career as a children’s book illustrator. I absolutely love that my love of art and creativity has led me down this path and that I get to do something so amazing.

Do you have any studio rituals that help you get into a creative flow?

Music inspires me, and I always start my day in the studio with something uplifting. There’s just no better way to feel inspired and energized.

How do you structure your day?

Because my studio is at home, there are many MANY distractions. I find the best way to get artwork done is to block out a few hours, put on my headphones, and just paint. Everything else comes after.

Where do you find inspiration for your art?

Storybooks and fairy tales have been my biggest inspiration since I was young. When I’m painting, I always have a story in mind, and there’s some kind of adventure happening in my head that lends its power to the vibrancy and direction of my work.

Tell us about your evolution as an artist.

Long ago, I wanted to be a writer, and that heavily influenced my artwork and the direction I took in my creative life. While my career as an author hasn’t quite taken off yet, my love of stories has never faded; instead, it has evolved from the written word to a visual representation.

How do you decide when an artwork is finished?

Deciding when a painting is finished is never easy, so I usually sit with the painting for a few days after I think it might be done. I make sure the story is complete and that the characters in the story of the painting are true to themselves.

What is the most interesting observation someone has made about your work?

I love watching people’s faces when they look at my art. My husband pointed it out to me a few years ago. He said no matter how young or old they were, what kind of mood they were in, when they paused to look at my paintings, their faces would light up, and they would smile. That’s the best feeling in the world, to know that my art can bring that kind of joy.

Is there an artwork from another artist that has had a significant impact on you?

Growing up, we had an old volume of fairy tales full of classic-style illustrations. I would spend hours just looking at them, amazed by how wonderfully they told the stories all on their own. That’s the sort of magic I strive for in my work.

What’s your favorite museum?

I could wander around the McNay Museum for ages. With its gardens and architecture, there’s just something magical about that place.

Is there anything else you’d like to share to help viewers better understand your work?

My work is inspired by stories and is meant to inspire stories. I love to add adventure and magic to my paintings and let the viewer decide what that story is, so the narrative is always changing and alive.

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If you enjoyed this article about Andrea Doss's life and artwork, we recommend reading about Karen Barton's impressionist animal paintings.