Featured Artist Amy Guion Clay

Amy Guion Clay’s abstracts are richly layered and filled with soft earth tones that express a world beyond the visual. To see more of this artist’s work, visit her website.

 

 

In life and art, I long for the horizon. There is an invisible tether that pulls me toward the unknown, and this is reflected in the artwork that I do. Even in my purely abstract paintings, it’s always about a mythical journey of discovery. I always want to know what is beyond.

 

 

My paintings are maps, evidence of the journey, not literal, but gestural. They arise out of the moment in my studio and make evident the moment of pushing off from the shore. Each stroke is a moment of discovery, and I look for adventure at every turn.

 

 

After getting my BFA from Syracuse University and University of East London, I worked as a fashion designer in New York City and London, but left that lifestyle to travel the world, mostly by bicycle.

 

 

When I moved to Boulder, Colorado, I learned to paint intuitively and trust the process rather than having a predetermined idea before I even begin a painting.

 

 

This approach changed my life and my work, and since then I’ve been exhibiting my work internationally in such places as Italy, London, Spain and India.

 

 

I work mostly in acrylic, but I have painted in encaustic, watercolor, oil, and used fiber, collage and found objects in assemblage. I love printmaking, especially solar plate etching. Although, it really doesn’t matter what mediums I use – it’s always about the process.

 

 

And ultimately I ask myself—how really free am I? What are the limiting voices—internally and externally—that keep me from my most brave and authentic expression? Once I identify the narrow scope, I can push forward into new territory.

 

 

My favorite thing is to combine art and travel—to take time away from my home environment to go on artist residencies around the world. I have been to twenty residencies in over fourteen countries so far, including Turkey, Iceland, New Zealand and Ireland, and I love to see how new environments affect the work that I do.

 

 

I’ve been asked so many times about residencies that I created an online course all about artist residencies and how to research, apply and attend one which you can find on my website. I am also developing an online course about finding and expressing your true creative voice—stay tuned!

 

 

This is my passion as a teacher—to help others access their fearless, brave nature, and freely express what is most authentic to them. And by being witness to their discovery, I am inspired in turn. This creates a special relationship dynamic that is mutually uplifting and connecting.

 

Artist Amy Guion Clay invites you to follow her on Instagram and her blog.

 

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