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

Hi Amy, what role has risk played in your life or career?
For me, taking “risks” is what makes life interesting. I’m always asking myself “what if I did _____?, pushing myself further than I’ve been before. I love dreaming, and could journal about it all day every day, but that will only get you so far. It’s the decision to walk out into the unknown, to make a choice that feels big and bold, and make it happen, even in small steps.

I’ve had many lives because of the big choices/risks I’ve made. I started out as a fashion designer right out of college in London and NYC, and decided I’d shoot for the top, and work my way down if needed. This landed me a coveted job as assistant designer at Anne Klein, under Donna Karan. After 5 years in the industry, I gave it all up to travel the world, first on my own, and then by bicycle with my partner at the time. I landed in Boulder, CO and began my painting/art life and have never looked back. Later, when my son was launched in the world, and I was divorced, I decided to give up my possessions to travel the world again, this time to artist residencies, for a year. I loved it so much that it became 4 years, and now I spend about 6 months a year at different residencies around the world. To date I’ve been to over 30 residencies in such places as India, Spain, Iceland and Turkey.

I’m now interested in new directions in my work around printmaking and multimedia and can’t wait to see where that takes me!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I think that every life is an Epic Quest, as we are always navigating through the dense jungle of our experience to find the light of our authentic creative selves. This is what motivates and defines my work. I see my paintings as maps, the evidence of the journey in all its complexity. My work reflects that mythical Quest and suggests places that are both real and imagined.

Even though I received a BFA, I didn’t start painting in earnest until I was in my mid 30’s as a single mom. I took classes and found a little space at home to develop my work, but it was always about stolen moments between work and raising my son. Somehow, I managed to grow a body of work and started showing nationally at galleries as well as teaching art privately. Fortunately I grew my previous career as a clothing designer into a freelance job for several companies that made it possible for me to work remotely part time. This allowed me to develop my artwork without the stress of having to make it my living.

The main lessons I’ve learned along the way is that fear and resistance will always be there, but to live the fullest expression of your life, one must continue to push forward regardless. Don’t let fear tame you or limit you in anyway! In that way, the greatest expression of creativity is living your best possible life!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I lived in Boulder for more than 30 years, and just recently moved to Longmont, so I’m starting to discover what the northern Front Range has to offer, which is a lot.

But for Boulder, of course there’s the Pearl St. pedestrian mall to anchor you in the city center. I like the Rosetta Food Hall roof on a warm summer evening with a fabulous view of the Flatirons.
The Boulderado Hotel has a gorgeous old lobby that gives you a sense of the elegant past. Of course hiking in Chatauqua is wonderful, but it gets crazy busy in the summer so get there as early as you can. Bmoca is our contemporary art museum and worth a visit, and next door is the inimitable Dushanbe Tea House with it’s lovely outdoor rose gardens right by Boulder Creekk. It’s an authentic handcrafted marvel made by a team of Tajikistan artisans specifically for Boulder, their sister city.

North Boulder, a.k.a NoBo, has a lot of artist studios and First Friday is a fun night in that area with live music, art shows etc. Nearby you can also take a lovely walk around Wonderland Lake right up against the foothills. I also love Protos Pizza in that area, but there are a few good options.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
In particular, Joan Anderson and Robert Spellman, both (now former) teachers at the Naropa Institute in Boulder. As artists and Buddhists, they were the first artists to teach me the contemplative way of painting learning to trust my internal guidance. Also, there are SO many books that have influenced me. And I’m so inspired by many artists I see on Instagram and in galleries and museums. And finally, all the many hosts of the different artist residencies I’ve been to, for offering a space for artists to live and work around the world!

Website: www.amyclay.com

Instagram: @amyclayart

Facebook: amy clay

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutColorado is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.