We recently connected with Aimee Tiede and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Aimee thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

I’ve loved visual art for as long as I can remember. Even back in preschool, I was drawn to color, texture and creating. My parents framed a finger painting I did at the age of 3 or 4 and it hung in their home for decades, only recently giving it to me. It’s faded over the last 40 years, and I have to laugh every time I see it where it aptly hangs in the bathroom, but it is a poignant reminder of my lifelong love of art. I was fortunate to grow up in a creative and encouraging household. My mom studied interior design, and my dad was a talented hobbyist woodworker who built furniture and other pieces for our home. There’s even a photo of me as a baby sitting in a car seat out in the garage while my dad worked on one of his projects. My mom nurtured my creativity throughout my childhood, from enrolling me in Montessori preschool to becoming my Girl Scout troop leader and guiding us through countless crafts and art activities. That kind of early support made a huge impact.

In high school, I had my first real art education, taking classes all four years and learning the basics of values, oil painting and drawings. It lit a spark in me, and I knew I had an aptitude for it.

Still, life took me in other directions after high school, and I stepped away from painting for a while. In my mid-20s, I began painting again, working mostly with acrylic and oil paints. At the time, my style was trying to replicate a hyper-realistic look, believing that precision and detail were the hallmarks of “good art”. My paintings were technically sound, but in hindsight they didn’t feel unique or overly interesting. They felt too common and forgettable among all the other oil or acrylic landscape paintings. I often felt stuck and uninspired, unsure of how to evolve my work or find my artistic voice.

That all changed in 2022 when I discovered alcohol inks. The medium was so different from anything I’d used before – fluid, vibrant, and unpredictable. It forced me to loosen my grip on perfection and embrace experimentation. It gave me the freedom to let the artwork unfold organically. That shift not only changed the look of my work, but the entire experience of creating it. I felt reenergized, challenged, and deeply inspired. And it all came at the exact moment I needed it – a moment in life where I felt particularly lost and without a compass after losing my father unexpectedly in 2021 and questioning my 14-year career choice. It’s almost as if the art found me and took my hand.

Alcohol ink art is still somewhat unknown as a medium for fine art. When I tell people I’m an alcohol ink artist, I often get a curious or puzzled look. It’s a medium more commonly associated with craft or decorative art, not traditional art but I see that changing. There’s so much potential for expressive, high-impact pieces that hold emotional weight and visual depth.

Looking back, I do wish I had pursued art more formally in college or through recreational classes. I’ve always had a strong support system through friends and family, particularly my incredible husband who is my constant advocate and cheerleader. He is forever encouraging me, but I often let insecurity hold me back, especially the nagging sense that I am less-than because I don’t have an art degree or formal training. Even this interview made me pause in panic with the thought of “how am I qualified, or what gives me the right?!” That feeling, paired with my introverted personality and discomfort with self-promotion, has definitely slowed me down at times. But learning outside of traditional paths has also made me resourceful and experimental, which has become part of my artistic identity.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m a visual artist working primarily with alcohol inks, a vibrant and fluid medium that allows me to create colorful, expressive works on non-porous paper and panel. While I’ve experimented with many different mediums over the years, it was discovering alcohol inks in 2022 that really helped me find my artistic voice. I had my “ah-ha” moment and knew this was what I had been missing that was my own unique style and signature.

I create art pieces that often draw inspiration from nature and emotion, balancing abstraction with recognizable landscapes and form. My pieces are intuitive, rich in color, and filled with movement and layered textures. I aim to evoke a mood, to give viewers a moment of pause or curiosity.

Beyond creating and selling original pieces, I also participate in local exhibitions and gallery shows, and I’ve begun exploring collaborations with other artists and local businesses. I want my work to be accessible, approachable, and meaningful. I don’t think of myself as solving a specific problem (yet), but I do believe that art has the power to soothe, inspire, and spark connection and I hope my work offers that to others. In time I am sure the opportunities will present that offer a way of giving back and will come from a place of contribution and I look forward to that.

I am still new on the scene – an aspiring artist who has a lot to learn. Over the past couple of years, I’ve made a conscious effort to step out of my comfort zone and engage more with the local art community here in New Hampshire. Joining The Art Center in Dover was a turning point. I found a talented group of artists and creatives who are welcoming, supportive, and encouraging. That sense of belonging gave me the confidence to start showing my work more consistently. In 2024, I had the opportunity to hang a permanent collection in a gallery, BayView Artisan Gallery, that took a chance on me and allowed me to learn as I went. That led to several art sales and opened doors to more opportunities.

I’ve also started participating in critique groups, which have helped me grow creatively, and I’ve connected with an inspiring alcohol ink community online. I was awarded an Artist in Residency opportunity at The Art Center from February through May 2025, which includes a dedicated studio space, and a gallery show – a milestone I’m incredibly grateful for!

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

For me, the most rewarding part is the connection. Both with myself during the creative process, and with others once the work is shared. When I’m inspired by something, I usually start by mentally mapping out how I want to create it, going over techniques, what tools to use, and how the inks will react. When the finished piece turns out how I envisioned, it brings such a sense of peace and joy. But sharing that work is where the experience deepens. Hearing how a piece made someone feel, or even just seeing someone pause in front of it, those moments mean so much. As someone who tends to be more introverted and struggles with imposter syndrome, I never take for granted the vulnerability of putting my work out there. It’s always a moving experience when it resonates with someone else.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

My biggest dream has always been to become a full-time professional artist. It’s something I’ve been working toward more seriously in recent years, and with each new opportunity, from exhibitions to collaborations, it feels a little more attainable. With a full time job and creating art in my down time, I have been striving to create a more cohesive work/life balance, and I am very fortunate to work with a team of supportive colleagues who understand and encourage this goal.

I’m also really motivated by the idea of collaboration. I want to keep learning from other artists, sharing ideas, and being part of something bigger. Meeting seasoned local artists who are open to collaboration has already expanded my perspective, and I hope to continue growing from those shared experiences.

Eventually, I’d love to exhibit my work outside of New England – across the U.S. or even internationally. It feels bold to say out loud, but I’m learning to let myself dream bigger. More than anything, I want to keep creating work that resonates with people, that invites them to pause and reflect. If I can do that – keep evolving, stay inspired, and connect with others then I’ll consider that a success. While I am still a novice and I don’t have a robust story to tell, I think the takeaway I would like to leave readers with is: Hope and Determination. No matter where you are in your journey, novice or seasoned veteran, there is always more to learn, to share, and dreams to achieve.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://bayview.gallery/collections/aimee-tiede
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aimeetiedeart/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aimeesartatelier