Westside Story – Miata Art

Story	Photos	Art
Joseph Boyle	Tom Sifford & Joseph Boyle	Amber L. White

In previous Westside Story editions, I have written a number of articles on the Starbucks Community Art Wall.  If you pay close attention to the Art Wall and I try to do just that, you will find that the Art Wall can be a fascinating creative community phenomenon.

One of our Starbucks regulars, Grandpa John Adams, is a personal friend of Ronnie McKinney, President of the Miata Club.  John, a Miata owner himself; otherwise how could he be a friend of President Ronnie, asked his granddaughter, Amber L. White, if she would be willing to create some Miata art.   She said yes and John commissioned her for the project.

Amber loves to produce art on demand on a special order basis rather than just produce art and hope someone wants to own it.  She produces tailor made art just for you.

Since the Miata Club World Headquarters is located at the Lakewood Towne Center Starbucks, Amber was able to accomplish a lot of Miata research before breaking out a wide variety of art tools.

The result is an eye catching creative piece of art that has a lot of hidden details.  John pointed out some of the hidden personalized nuances of the handcrafted artwork.  Each Miata, from left to right, is the correct color for each owner’s car.

Plus each car displays the proper license plate for Julie, Ronnie, John, Al, Tom and Paul as you view the cars from left to right.  Julie’s license plate reads, “GOZOOMN”.

I took a close up photo of Julie’s car.  Her pet dog is in the car and is wearing eye goggles so they can ride with the top down.

Amber has no formal art training, but as you can tell by looking at Amber, she is apparently naturally artistic.  Her art seems to flow from inside out with the first artistic expression blossoming into her body tattoos.  Her art energy then flows to the canvas.  She seems in tune and at one with her art.

Amber is heading to Chicago to attend Columbia University to study creative writing and teaching.  It is her dream to one day become a college professor in English literature.

Art is a creative hobby for Amber.  She has other art interests that include acting and stage work.  She has been involved in several Seattle area stage productions including Dance Theater.

Part of her experience was serving as a stagehand followed by promotion to Assistant Stage Manager.  She is all over the art scene, but art is only a hobby at this time.

Amber told me there are two kinds of artists.

#1 Frustrated Artist.  This kind of artist eventually gets frustrated and then simply tries to sell their work “as is”.

#2 Perfectionist Artist.  This kind of artist ends up staring at their work wondering how they can reach perfection.  Discouraged, they walk away from the canvass.  Their desire to create art dies.

Amber is a category #2 perfectionist artist.  In order to avoid “art death”, she wishes to keep her artistic efforts on a hobby basis.

If any of you want one of her custom art creations, Amber will love to make it happen.

Amber’s e-mail address: henriettaheartbreak@gmail.com.

Amber thanks for all the smiles you create with your Miata Art.

According to Barista Edra Zook, who manages the Art Wall for Starbucks, customers want to buy your Miata art.  Grandpa John told me, “It is not for sale.”

You can view Amber’s Miata Art at the Starbucks Community Art Wall located at 6040 Main St SW, Lakewood, Washington the entire month of August.