My show, 'Reconstruct, Rebuild, & Rediscover' is now open in Idaho Falls, ID at the Willard Gallery! The show will run through Nov. 3rd, 2024. What do I want to say about this show? I feel like the artist's statement covers most of it which you can find here, however, this was something that was a significant achievement for me, especially at this time in my life. When I was first getting out of college I was passionate about showcasing my artwork in galleries. It was something that I tried to pursue for a long time, feeling like this would help me validate my work, and eventually become the fine artist that I wanted to be. I realized quickly that I, like most college students, had no more money left to spend on dreams and I needed to start working full-time. I would still go to galleries as my career took off, and apply for shows here and there but I also had some setbacks that squashed my confidence as a fine artist. I remember having one gallery show, right after I had moved to a new city, and only a small handful of people, (like probably less than 5), came to the show opening. It was a solo show, I was so excited but I realize now that at the time, I had no idea how to market, promote, or work with a gallery to get things going. It didn't help that I didn't have many new friends in the area yet so I wouldn't have even known who to invite. I doubted my abilities as an artist. The pressures of making a living as an adult made me think that dreams were just dreams, and maybe I needed to move on. Even working 9-5 even as a photographer doing what I loved also blew my creative energy to do anything on the side for myself. Slowly I stopped applying to galleries. Slowly I stopped creating work for myself. The real shift happened when I started having kids and stopped my day job full-time. I wondered even more who I was and what I was going to do next. Photography had been my life, without it, was I anybody? The so-called 'status' of being able to say I had a career doing photography was a confidence booster, something to show that I had figured things out as an adult, and I did it doing what I loved. But then when my oldest was about a year old, I didn't even want to do photography. I realized I was burnt out, and I needed something different to fulfill my creative needs, but what could I do with a one-year-old and another baby on the way? Start making crafts? Start a small side business? That didn't sound like something I wanted to do. Deep down I've always wanted to be an artist. To create meaningful, engaging pieces of art for people to talk about, for others to enjoy, and to speak with my heart and hands what I could never put into words. I remember times when I had opportunities to talk about my art, to have work in galleries, to create and explore new mediums and ideas with others, and how much I loved doing that. I loved all of that while at the same time, a more realistic part of my personality asked, why? You aren't changing anything, you aren't making a large impact or being useful like a doctor or a lawyer-all those things every realistic person will ever tell you when you say you want to be an 'artist'. But me as a doctor or lawyer, or anything other than an artist wouldn't be me. It wouldn't be Amy. So I had a wild urge to start painting and I thought, why not? I don't have to impress anyone, I don't have to make money, and I'm not under any deadlines or pressure to create, why not start doing what I love for myself? Why not try to do the thing that I've always wanted to do? What began as paintings turned into collages, and I found myself creating things in a whole new way. Through what I thought I had lost, I was able to rediscover what I had been missing.
It's been a journey to even get this far, and there is still so much I need to learn. But this gallery show feels like a good step in the right direction. The timing has felt absolutely crazy as I've been prepping for this show at the same time I've been prepping for our third child, however, I feel like I'm getting to know myself all over again in a more honest way. I am a dreamer, and I can enjoy my daydreams even while managing a family, budgeting our finances, and being 'realistic' in other areas of my life. It's this passion for creating that keeps me going and allows the mundaneness of life to be what it is without dragging me down. Art gives me a deeper, richer, more meaningful life that I get to share with others; a different way to share myself. A deeper way to be Amy. If you are local to Idaho Falls, (or close-ish like we are), I hope that you take time to go and see my work and enjoy what speaks to you. For many of those reading this, I realize the distance won't allow you to make it and that is fine. All these pieces will soon be up on my website to view and/or purchase, and if something speaks to you I do hope that you will reach out to me and let me know even if you don't buy anything. I enjoy hearing how you resonate with a piece and how it relates to your current or past experiences as well.
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Oh Hey! it's me, AmyThese are stories about my art, experiences I've had in my career, and some other fun things. I will probably overshare, sometimes I can't help it. Enjoy! Archives
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