Mandy West on "Earning Her Turns" on the Slopes and in the Studio

What makes ordinary objects so unforgettable? For Northern Colorado artist Mandy West, the answer is found in color, memory, and perspective. Her paintings capture the beauty of everyday things—a chair, a Vespa, even a laundry truck—inviting us to pause and see what’s often overlooked.

In this conversation, Mandy shares her journey from doodling bubble letters in exchange for Jolly Ranchers to embracing acrylics as her primary medium. We talk about:

• How backcountry skiing with her husband parallels her creative process (“earning your turns”)
• Why being a boy mom shaped her eye for the ordinary and fueled her creativity
• The role of community, critique, and persistence in developing as an artist
• Practical encouragement for anyone wanting to lean into creativity

You’ll also hear how Mandy integrates memory, family, and even her children’s old handwriting practice sheets into her art. This episode is a reminder that the ordinary moments of life hold extraordinary beauty—if we only stop to see them.

Catch more of the story @thanks.for.doing.that.podcast!