Sunday, June 3, 2012

Amy Lynn Stevenson - Painter - Minnesota ExPat

"place your bets" 36x36 acrylic on canvas
Amy Lynn Stevenson

Amy Lynn Stevenson
Los Angeles, California


Why did you leave Minnesota?
Snow and cold weather? :) I had a chance to move in with my sister in LA back in 2004. She had moved out to be an actress years earlier. At the time I was ready for a change of pace. I wanted to expand into other markets and find more opportunities and venues to sell my work. Since then my work has been shown in many cities, such as New York, Boston, Baltimore, Denver, Charlotte, Las Vegas, and Maui, not to mention throughout California.

"night on the piazza" 30x40 acrylic on canvas

Tell me about your new city of residence?  
After living in LA for the past 7 years, we had an opportunity to buy a house just inland 7 miles from Ventura, in Oak View, CA. Oak View is such a breath of fresh air. I am surrounded by such beauty with a lake close by and gorgeous bluffs surrounding us. And being 7 miles from the ocean is amazing.

"smile for the birdie" 12x12 acrylic on canvas

How has your art changed since moving from Minnesota?

I think I have pushed myself further and developed a more intricate style. I incorporate more realism  while keeping with the romantic way I depict the world. I  think that as my experience has expanded my work has grown bigger and bolder.

I recently began working through "Disney Fine Art" creating a line of work using disney characters painted amy lynn style. The opportunity has been amazing and is pushing me in playful new directions.

"high society" 30x40 acrylic on canvas

If you come back to Minnesota for one weekend and you need to see your old favorite places, where would you go to see art?

There are so many places I love in Minnesota. Minneapolis will always have a special place in my heart. I lived nine years near Uptown and was so happy there. My favorite galleries where I also had many shows was Gallery 360 and the Rogue Buddha Gallery. I also enjoyed being a part of the Uptown Art Festival and The Stone Arch Art Festival for many years. I loved selling my work face to face and getting to know my art patrons personally.

Who are some of your favorite artists still living in Minnesota?

Douglas Padilla

Al Wadzinski

Brandt Kingman

Nicolas Harper

"mermaid on a carousel" 12x12 acrylic on canvas

If you could transplant one aspect of the Minnesota arts community home with you, what would it be?

The sense of community. I always felt so at home with all the other artists and we all worked together to promote each other and the art community as a whole.

Do you have any exhibits to promote now or in the near future?

My next show will be in May the Old Town San Diego Art Festival. It will be my 3rd year exhibiting at this event and I am beginning to build a real following there. San Diego is a beautiful and thriving city that is very supportive of the arts. Much like Minneapolis and St. Paul has always been for me.

I will also be showing later that month at the Ojai Art in the Park which is right in my own neighborhood.

"singing moon" 12x12 acrylic on canvas

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