We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Amy Bumpus a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Amy, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

I have always been a bit of a risk taker. One of the lasting lessons from my parents was that taking risks was a part of life. But, one of the first steps in pursuing any new direction is to realistically calculate how you are going to pull it off. Taking a well thought out risk, along with hard work, gives it a better chance of success.

For the first time in my life, my schedule allows me to create art without distraction. My husband and I have methodically set up a life that allows each of us to pursue our passions and still make a living. My daily commute requires me to walk out my back door into my studio. That is a WOW for me! I have always created, but had to work it around an outside job. Over the last few years, we have built a life around getting to this point. We knew the risks, but put in motion events that would support our ultimate goal; having a creative outlet and pursuing it as far as we possibly can.

When I made my first sale, I was so excited of course. I have since made many sales but am still in awe that people are responding to what I create and am just as excited and grateful each time. I make definite and pointed statements with my work. I speak to current issues about climate, politics and world events and am not always sure it will resonate. I wasn’t sure people would appreciate my kind of images and want to actually purchase them. I have been an artist my entire life and I have produced quite alot of work through the years. Part of my risk in deciding that I would spend the majority of my time speaking my mind through my art was that I had to be ready to have alot of inventory in my studio. How would I be able to anticipate how people would respond to it? They may like the piece; they may even agree with my point. But, that does not mean they would like to hang it in their home. To my lasting surprise, they have responded.

I feel like all of my previous years set me up to be able to take this calculated risk at this moment in my life. I intend to take full advantage of it.

My current medium of choice is using paper to create my images. I use old National Geographic and Life magazines becasue I like the old inks better. It’s not exactly collage because I cut up the paper to then form my images. As a result, my images are extremely layered. You can’t get the full effect of the piece until you are up close and can see all of those layers that help me tell a story. My titles leave no doubt as to why I created the piece and what I am trying to say. However, people relate to the pieces in their own ways and I love that they do; even if it has nothing to do with my why.

I am currently looking for representation for my work and am using social media and entering shows to try to get the work before a larger audience. So, the experiment that my husband and I began is ongoing. So far, it seems to be working out.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My favorite form of expression is drawing. I love line and what could be simpler than picking up a pencil or pen and creating an image. I don’t tend to be a verbal person though I do have lots to say. Currently, I draw with paper. I use old National Geographic and Life magazines to create my images. A predominant theme in my work is human impact on our environment. I like the idea that recycling is the base for my images.

Using cut paper to form an image creates layers. The layers bring the viewer closer to the work to better see the deeper messages of what I am trying to say. My creative process manifests from an interest in our place in Earth’s evolution. We are in a time of extreme change from the climate crisis, to racial disparity to political points to global responsibility. These are all issues that will determine future life. My work speaks to naming issues but also calls for solutions. Humans have had the most impact on our planet; an impact that affects all species. We are not apart from the evolution process. We are participants. The questions I seek answers to are, what do we want our role to be and how do we affect the story going forward.

Throughout my creative life, I have produced alot of work. My current intentions are to speak my mind and present work that has meaning to me. My hope is that the messages resonate. So far, they seem to be doing just that.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

I was kicked out of art school. What and how I was producing work at the time was not what the instructors were interested in pursuing.
My choices were to change schools or find another major. I have a B.F.A. in Photography.

At the time, it was a slight set back. But, the lesson for me was to do what I do regardless. I get to decide how my life goes. The rejection, actually, opened up my world and left me with the knowledge that I was fine if some people did not like what I do.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

I believe everyone is a creative whether they are in Libreral Arts or the sciences. So much of what we do on a daily basis takes some form of creative thought to produce an outcome.
I am not good at math. But, I can appreciate the nuances of equations and how they relate to our world. I am just as much in awe of that ability as someone may be in awe of writing or being a visual artist or music.
In my mind, we are all on a journey that requires creativity.
I guess my mission is supporting that belief.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.amybumpus.com
• Instagram: @amybumpusart
• Facebook: amy.bumpus.7

Image Credits
Ben Blankenburg Photography