Today we’d like to introduce you to Amy O’Malley.
Hi Amy, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve been in love with the imagination and creating my entire life. After my first go at college, I was performing and teaching dance and received a theater scholarship to return to school. I ended up with a degree in Political Science with a minor in Russian Studies from the University of Houston. However, I didn’t end up using it. I was creating funky art pieces for around my house in Galveston, Texas and someone suggested I start selling my pieces. Before I knew it, I was doing art shows and pop-up markets with my fun and functional art under the name Amy’s Attic. After a few years, my amazing husband Jeff and I moved from Galveston to Naples, Florida. I continued doing art shows and markets but felt a bit rudderless in my pursuit. I returned to the theater and when we moved to Orlando two years later, I started a decade long career in entertainment at the theme parks. The thing is, I missed being part of the entire creative process. I joined Universal Art and Design and soon after the Creative department. I started doing art shows and markets again as a side hustle.
Then, Covid became part of our lives. I was lucky enough to spend six months in Beijing, China last year working on the new Universal park there. Specifically, I was working on the props for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. It was an incredible experience! Beijing was a wonderful city and the people of China that I met and worked with were kind and lovely. I was able to explore so many wonderful areas of ancient and modern Beijing and surrounding areas and it was beyond inspiring.
Unfortunately, like so many others, when I returned from Beijing last December, I was part of the sweeping layoffs due to the pandemic. Not sure what the future would bring or exactly where I wanted to go next, I started doing markets and art shows as they started to return. I focused more on just my digital illustrations and acrylic paintings and found that I was growing exponentially as an artist and as an art business. By May, I decided to commit to being a full-time artist and the journey has been incredible, terrifying, exhilarating, fun, and I realize that I am exactly where I need to be in this moment.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Honestly, the art part of the journey has been remarkably smooth. Of course, I have my off days, but even when I dip down a bit, I always climb higher the next day. The biggest obstacle has been financial. Being unemployed and trying to start a business isn’t easy. There’s paying for shows, art supplies, application fees, display and more, plus, I still need to cover my personal finances. However, each and every day gets better and the more I create and the more people I meet, the more I’m able to meet my needs. My Grandfather once told me that if you can build a successful business during a downtime, there’s nowhere to go but up! It’s all about keeping positive and believing in what you do.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My two main mediums are acrylic paintings and digital illustrations. I started my latest art journey in November of 2016 by drawing everyday. I was on a roll but missed a day during lockdown in 2020. I ended up taking two days off and started back again. When I got my iPad and downloaded the app Procreate, a whole new world opened up to me. I’m known for my whimsical and fun art, including mermaids, fairies, sweet animals and more. My acrylic paintings focus on more serious subjects. Most of my acrylic paintings are about female empowerment. Right now, I’m looking at the myths and legends of women that have shaped the narrative of what it means to be a woman. I”m finding that most of the stories we know are just a fraction of the story. As they say, history is written by the winners. Unfortunately, women have not traditionally been the winners, and the stories we’ve been told have been part of keeping us in what many consider “our proper place”. My paintings take a different look at the feminine. While they might seem conventionally pretty or dainty, they are so much more!
I’m most proud of the progress I’ve made with my art this year. I see progress in every piece I do. I can’t wait to see where I am in a year, five years, and even a decade from now!
My use of color and my whimsy set me apart from others.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
My husband Jeff is not only the love of life but also my biggest supporter. I could not do what I do without him. His undying belief in me has given me the confidence to pursue my dreams and when I get down, he’s the one who boosts me up. My best friend Chelsea Davis is incredible. I jokingly refer to her as my Director of Marketing. She was at my first art show here in Orlando and has been with me ever since. She helps me at so many shows, setting up, breaking down and even selling my art better than me! She also comes over to help me package all my art when I receive new prints.
It’s essential to have an incredible support system and I’m lucky enough to have two of the best. Also, I have so many who have joined what I call my “art family” they are people who support me on Patreon, continue to buy my art, and share my work with others who they think will also love it. I’m nowhere without them and I’m so thankful to have such an amazing art family.
Contact Info:
- Email: amy@artpostropheamy.com
- Website: https://www.artpostropheamy.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artpostropheamy/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Artpostropheamy
Image Credits
Jeff O’Malley
