Rooted in the Midwest, Amy’s earliest artistic encounters came through the matrilineal transmission of textile traditions passed down through generations of her family. She forged her connection to materials as a child when she first learned to source clay from the rolling hills of Iowa. This foundation in craft and material understanding has deepened through her journeys across diverse landscapes—from Australia to North Carolina, Montana, and now Alaska.
Her academic journey reflects this dedication to both art and science: a BA in Psychology and a BFA in Ceramics from the University of Iowa, post-baccalaureate studies at Montana State University, and an MFA currently in progress at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Her artistic practice serves as a vital anchor, emerging from periods in healthcare and psychological research to become an essential mode of personal expression and healing.
Working at the intersection of ceramics and textiles, I explore the relationship between identity, the body, and felt experience. My mixed-media practice employs traditional block printing techniques on clay, creating textured pieces that honor familial quilting traditions while investigating contemporary themes of bodily awareness and self-perception. I draw from my background in both art-making and psychology research to create abstractions of the body and natural world.
This work continues my exploration of textiles as protection and softness as safety. Each stitch reinforces my belief in softness as strength. Each stitch reveals the path of the body. Each piece becomes a shelter for the most vulnerable parts of myself, connecting me to the lineage of women in my family who used textile practices to regulate and soothe their bodies and minds. My use of monochromatic colors connects me to my local environment and emphasizes the labor of hand-dyed fabric.
These works invite viewers to reconnect with their physical bodies and challenge internalized narratives about themselves. Through manual labor, dreamscapes, and embodied experiences, I explore how these practices foster feelings of safety and control, questioning how our relationship with our physical form shapes our sense of self.