Since we can’t hang out with our Harwood Studio Artists in person right now, we asked them to share a little bit about their art practice and how things have changed for them since the stay-at-home order went into effect. Here is our interview with Amy Mann. We hope you enjoy it as much as we do!

Snowshoe Gals, 2020 24″x24″ acrylic and no 2 pencil. $400

How is your life, your practice, your art the same or different now than it was at the beginning of the year?

AM: I am taking more time on each of my paintings, because that’s what I have so much of these days, TIME! I’ve been working on art about 4 days a week, and selling lots of things through instagram. It really took off, because people are working from home, and shopping online. They also want to support artists who have no other source of income at this time. 

How has Covid-19 challenged or changed your art practice?

AM: Due to COVID-19, I have not been able to restock my apparel. I source most of my items from second hand stores, or discount clothing stores, and they are all shut down. So i’m working with what i have from before COVID, and my inventory is dwindling down rapidly. 

Where do you get your inspiration from?

AM: The internet. Girls doing silly things on the internet,  documenting it, and sharing it with the world. 

What is your process when starting a new project or piece?

AM: First I take a screen shot from Instagram. Then I contact the photographer and ask if it’s ok that i draw their photo. Usually they think it’s “Fan Art”. And in a way, it is. I only draw images that have been publicly posted to Instagram. Then draw the image small, and project it onto a big wooden panel that I make on my own in my studio! Then it becomes like a big page from a coloring book, and I fill it in.

What are you working on right now?

AM: Silk screening t-shirts, sweatshirts, and canvas bags with images of some of my paintings from the past. I also am working on a giant painting of a girl in rodeo garb. My friend in Nashville took the photo, i copy his work a lot, because its so bizarre, and i cant believe it’s on the internet. 

What are you currently interested in?

AM: The female form, and how it’s become quite desensitized in our “swipe lifestyle”.

 

Do you have another job in addition to making art? How does it inform your art practice?

AM: I work as an Ager Dyer in the film industry. I age and dye costumes to make them look old and dirty. I learn about so many mediums at work, so i use some of the mediums and tricks i learn to make my art that much more solid. Like adding fabric medium to my paints when i hand paint tshirts. We use it in the  movies so that an actor can get wet and the aging on their clothes wont wash away. So that we don’t have to re paint things a hundred times.  With the clothes i’m printing on in my studio, i make sure they can be washed a bunch of time and still look real good. 

Was there a moment or a decision you made in your career that you feel was a personal success? 

AM: Traveling for work! When I get a call to work out of state, I always say YES! You never know who youll work with, and what youll learn. I am always ready to learn new techniques, and work with new costume designers. The out of state jobs, always lead to more jobs!

What memorable response(s) have you had to your work?

AM: People think I only draw butts. And mostly its true. Everyone loves a butt, and everyone has one!

What are you trying to communicate with your art? 

AM: I’m trying to make a temporary photo or a female form, feel more permanent and special. Something you swipe by and give 2 seconds of attention to, is now hanging on your wall forever and you can really enjoy it.

What is your dream project? If there were no restrictions on time or money, what would you create?

AM: I would like to re create somebody’s entire feed on Instagram. My dream would be to make a painting or drawing of each of their photos and exhibit the drawings on a giant wall in Instagram format.

Is there an artwork of yours that you will always keep?

AM: I have the test print from a silk screen I made of my dog Lucca. It hangs on my wall and ill always have it.

What excites and/or delights you in your art practice right now?

AM: There are endless possibilities in what I’m doing. There will always be butts on instagram to steal, and that’s exciting. I’ll never run out of ideas!

 

How can people learn more, support, and or purchase your work?

AM: Follow me on Instagram @its_mamy_ann

Currently all of my work is at my studio, and for sale through my profile. Just send me a Direct Message if you are interested. I can also do comissions or recreate any painting I’ve done in the past!

 

About Amy Mann

 

Amy Mann is a New Mexico based textile artist who’s been working in the film industry as an Ager Dyer since 2015.  The seasonal schedule of film work allowed Amy to direct a non-profit sustainability summer camp in Taos, NM for 7 years, called The Sangre de Cristo Youth Ranch.  Amy was costume designer on her first short film, “Did I Lose You” in June 2019. In February of 2020, she produced her first Independent film, Harem Complex Part 1. She received her BFA in 2010 from the Maryland Institute College Art in Baltimore Maryland. Amy has worked on 20 different film projects in and around NM. She spends the majority of her off time, working in her studio at the Harwood, selling her art, and going on adventures with her pups.

 

Midnight Snack, 24’x24′ 2019 acrylic and no 2 pencil. $250 SOLD

Hand printed and painted tee. $30 SOLD

 

 

Hand Printed and painted canvas bag $12

Hand printed and painted tee shirt. $30 SOLD