Amy started her freshman year at Utah State University the fall of 1990, but quickly became impatient with the requirement that she had to wait nearly two years before she could take part in a hands-on art class. It wasn’t long before she transferred to Eastern Oregon University where she was involved in as many art classes as she could handle. At the University, under the instruction of Ian Gatley, a family friend and watercolorist, Amy’s style began to take form.

        After four years Amy was armed with a degree in Fine Art, but her career was placed on hold as she had married her high school sweetheart, just bought a home, and was expecting her first child. The business of supporting and raising a family suddenly took priority over all else. The next two years were spent as a forestry technician with the U.S. Forest Service, as did her husband, as a wild land fire fighter. Then the couple took teaching positions in their hometown of Union. Amy taught Social Studies, loved her job, but after receiving some critical and sage advice from a cousin in the art business, she knew “it was time”. Over the next year, her husband’s office was converted into a magazine and book-reference library where she studied all aspects of wildlife painting and the art market, as well as developing a plan of action.

        With a new body of work, a targeted clientele, and slide copies of her artwork, she applied to three large juried shows and four galleries. To her surprise, she was accepted in all three shows and later contacted by galleries around the West.

        As for future plans, Amy is committed to doing much more of the same, feeling that she has just scratched the surface of what can be accomplished in the art market world.