Please briefly introduce yourself
I am an artist currently working in the medium of paper cutting. Each piece is individually cut with a knife and a cutting mat. I am drawn to this simple art form as it is very satisfying turning an ordinary piece of paper into something magical. My work is inspired by nature as well as folk tales and myths. I’m interested in the work being open to interpretation by the viewer.
When did you decide to pursue art as a career?
A few years after leaving art collage I started selling my work while working part time, then a two years later I completely devoted myself to it. I started off doing the animal paintings which were really successful but I wanted to move onto other things to push myself creatively.
What training did you have?
I studied a BA Hons in Fine art/Sculpture and an MA Illustration and sequential Design at Brighton University
What has been the high point of your career so far?
Probably my work being taken to an art fair in New york this May. The first ever piece of art work you sell is a really good feeling too.
General Questions
Who is your favourite artist?
Louise Bourgeois
What are you aiming for?
To be fulfilled creatively as well as making money from it. If you get the balance right I think your doing pretty well, I feel like i’m heading in the right direction.
How will you get there?
I’m trying to be more experimental in my work and give myself time to do this as well as working on the pieces to sell. I think this will ultimately make my work stronger.
Is anything holding you back?
I think I probably put constraints on myself as sometimes it can be a little scary trying new things and breaking away from what you are doing if it is successful.
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 want people to get pleasure from my work. I enjoy it when my work sparks their imagination, i’m interested in peoples different responses and like that it is open to interpretation. People often build their own stories which is what I want the viewer to do even if it is completely different from what I might have in my head.
From start to finish, how long does it take for you to create your
work?
I really believe that a piece of work results from everything that has come before it, so although it may take several days, so much more time goes into making a piece of art from all the techniques and ideas that you have accumulated over the years.
What music do you like to listen to when you work?
I listen to Radio 6. I sometime have to have silence when starting a new piece of work. The level of concentration I need can sometimes be
intense.
What are you working on next? Any future plans or projects in the
pipeline that we should look out for?
I have lots of ideas of things I want to do. I’m keen to get more three dimensional with my work and also start to use more colour. I’m doing an open house in May for brighton festival, so may do some more nautical themed work inspired by sea shanties. I would also like to get my work screen printed onto home furnishings, lampshades and possibly t-shirts etc.
Being inspired by art
Who (living or dead) inspires you? and why?
I love outsider (untrained artists) art. I did work experience for an indian artist, Nek Chand who inspired me greatly. The abundance of creativity of such artists and the naive beauty in the work is what moved me. I really enjoyed the exhibition ‘Museum of Everything’ last Dec. It’s definitely worth following any future exhibitions they have. It was an exhibition of outsider artists which was so refreshing, accessible and fun.
What feelings, subjects or concepts inspire you as an
artist?
I’m interested by concepts found in myths and fairy tales and often use these as starting points for my work. I really enjoy drawing from nature in my work and get a lot of pleasure from this as well as from the more dream like side to my work.
What is your favourite work that you’ve produced so far and why?
I think my most interesting work is probably that of when I was a student. I created a one off artist book that I would never part with as it took me months to make. It inspired me to go on and make the paper cuts. My favourites of those are the ‘Forest fox’ and ‘Spirit of the sea’.
an artist’s advice
For those thinking about turning a passion for art into a career, could you give any advice?
Try to keep that passion alive by knowing how far to compromise for a sale. Always try to keep your creativity flowing by not always trying to please the public or galleries, i think it’s important to give yourself the time to try new things, experiment and make a mess.
Any tips on how to get your work seen and get the commissions coming in?
I have just set up an art page on facebook. Please become a ‘fan’ an follow what I’m up to – Amy’s facebook page. I find it a great way to reach people and them know of new work and exhibitions I’m doing. I have found that one thing generally leads to another so even If you don’t always sell much most opportunities are
beneficial in doing.
Thank You Amy!
You can find our more about amy and see her work on http://www.amywilliamsart.co.uk/
and also follow here on facebook here: Amy’s facebook page
