Speaking with Artist, Amy Smith

In our latest Azutura artist interview, we chatted with Amy to discuss how she became an artist, her thoughts on feminism, her opinion of consumerism and much more.

Hi Amy - Thanks for taking the time out to speak with us. Can you start by introducing yourself and telling us a little bit about you? Can you tell us how you became an artist?

My name is Amy Smith and I’m a self-taught mixed media artist. I started creating by taking photography and collaging imagery together to build fun cityscape designs.

I learned Photoshop and that really helped me visualize and create in different ways. I then used my sketches and layered them over photographs I took to create these really cool illustrative designs.

When you’re self-taught, it’s important to explore all different kinds of things to expand your knowledge of what materials and things you like. I did that a lot and continue to make that really important to my evolution.

So, what’s an average day like in the life on Amy Smith?

An average day for me really varies depending on what I have to do and what I have scheduled. Sometimes it’s prepping, painting or collaging the magazine pieces, researching. I might have a photoshoot, or go meet friends for a show. I’m also a mother so I balance my time between my son and work.

Your work is so unique - Can you tell us about the process behind how you create your images?

There’s a lot of steps that go into the process and they’re all important. I flip through a bunch of recycled magazines to get the pieces for the background layer of the collage, I use photography or illustration to create the portrait element of the piece and mock everything up in Photoshop usually to make sure the colours and design fit well together.

I hand cut all my stencils and use spray paint. The rest is usually spray paint and/or acrylic paint.

Showcasing strong female figures is clearly important to you. Can you discuss this a little?

My collection called ‘Power’ consists of all my female portraits dedicated to strong diverse women. After educating myself about feminism and the movement behind the equality for women’s rights, I decided that my purpose was to empower women through my art.

I found that women were mostly shown in objectifying ways and not in the way that empowered them or the viewer at all. I wanted the models or subjects of my paintings to feel powerful. I want the viewer to feel they’re looking at a strong woman and evoke an intentional feeling always with the goal in mind to showcase varying emotions that create a strong sense of self.

Diversity is another conversation that came up early in me creating my work. I am dedicated to creating work for all women and all people. I continue to work on my collection and look forward to expanding my portraits.

Other than powerful women, what inspires you?

Rebellious people, in general, are my favourite. People that are willing to disrupt for a positive way to create an awareness that needs to break through the everyday. Whether that’s in pop culture, activism, identity or innovation. I think it’s important to challenge everything.

You’ve mentioned that with your work, you aim to combat excessive consumerism. Can you tell us a little more about this?

Who’re some of your idols?

You’re an avid user of social media, especially Instagram. How do you think this affects your career as an artist?

Do you have any advice you’d give to aspiring artists?

What’s the future looking like for you? Any big projects lined up?