Being an artist
Please give us a few words of introduction about yourself
Amy DiGi can be found painting in the studio from November to March and outside painting on NYC streets/parks or by water the remainder part of the year.
When did you decide to pursue art as a career?
After my teaching career.
What training did you have?
Bachelors from Pratt Institute, Masters from Lehman College and transferred credits from University of Alaska and 5 years at the Art Students League.
What has been the high point of your career so far?
Having time to paint!!!
General Questions
What’s your favourite quote?
“Blunder Ahead with your own personal view.” The Art Spirit Robert Henri.
Who is your favourite artist?
John Singer Sargent
What are you aiming for?
To be a better painter than I was yesterday.
How will you get there?
Hours and Hours of practice.
Is anything holding you back?
Time
You and art
What feelings or reactions do you hope to arouse in people who view your work? Are you ever surprised by reactions that you get?
I like to see beauty in what I paint and hopefully other people see that in my paintings.
From start to finish, how long does it take for you to create your work?
Depending on if the stars are aligned or not. . there is no rhyme or reason, sometimes paintings just flow out of me and other times it takes longer.
What music do you like to listen to when you work?
Everything and sometimes no music – like working outside I like to talk to people so there is no music when I’m painting outsdie.
What are you working on next? Any future plans or projects in the pipeline that we should look out for?
I am in the middle of a painting of Untermyers Park, and Future projects working on a painting for Yonkers Fire Department and Fiduciary.
Being inspired by art
Who (living or dead) inspires you? and why?
Sunlight and shadows inspire me. . . .
What feelings, subjects or concepts inspire you as an artist?
I’ll paint just about anything . . preferably in natural light. Portraits, boats, trees, fruit, trucks, city scenes etc. . . .
What is your favourite work that you’ve produced so far and why?
A painting that is hanging in the U.S. Embassy in Sierra Leone of the Boat house in Central Park. My painting traveled farther than I did.
an artist’s advice
For those thinking about turning a passion for art into a career, could you give any advice?
Time and money are necessary . . . time to make the work and money to live off of until your paintings sell.
Any tips on how to get your work seen and get the commissions coming in?
Constantly paint and have an internet presence. This is the first time in the History of Art where one can use the internet as a marketing tool for your paintings, so use it!
You can see more of Amy’s artwork on her website at http://www.amydigi.com/
