Meet Amy Powell | Fine Artist & Illustrator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Amy Powell and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Amy, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Starting my own business was something I dragged my feet on for far too long. I just wanted to create art and the business side of being an artist was something that I didn’t want to figure out. Over a few years it formed naturally. Building a website. Starting an online selling platform. Attending Art Markets and other events. It caught up with me and looking back I realized I had inadvertently built an official business and brand. But I’d still rather just create all day!

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Early on as an artist I received the message that I needed to have a cohesive style. Ignoring that advice has been the best move possible. I realized that if I made something then it belonged in my “brand”. My identity and my style have evolved alongside each other. It’s allowed me to keep it fresh and genuine. Perhaps the biggest evolution I’ve experienced was when I became a mother. There’s a cliche that women loose their identity to motherhood and I guess that was true for me. But I loved being a mom and I didn’t think I would mind losing myself as an artist for that role. It took a lot of encouragement from those around me to continue to create when I just wanted to spend all my time with my daughters. But now as they grow I get to enjoy their relationship to me as an artist as well as their mom. We go on walks and they bring me feathers, rocks, seed pods…anything they think I should use to make art.
I’m currently doing a lot of watercolor illustrations that feature animals, foliage, bones, and the moon. All things that my girls have helped me see with adoring eyes. As they grow, and as I grow…I know my art will grow too.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
French Pastries at La Creperie is always a great place to start any trip on the right foot. My kids will be there, so we’re going to the splash pad at Spring Canyon Park.
An art class to try a new skill at Blue Moose Art Gallery.
And any excuse I can get to go into the mountains is one I will take. I should probably have more go-to spots. But finding something new to explore is always too tempting. My ideal mountain spot is an off-trail alpine lake in a wooded area.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My bestie Tabetha who has supported my personal evolution and helped me be braver than I could have been on my own. My daughters who help me see the world with wonder and appreciation for the overlooked. And my husband who supports me to the point that it’s annoying.

Website: www.amypowellart.com

Instagram: @watchamypaint

Facebook: www.facebook.com/amypowellart

Image Credits
Artist Portrait by Elizabeth Colunga