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

Amy, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

My grandfather was a photographer, and in high school, he gifted me his camera. That moment changed everything. I started seeing the world differently — through composition, light, and emotion. From then on, I knew I wanted to pursue a creative path and set my sights on art school. At the University of Arizona, I explored a wide range of mediums and ultimately earned my Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Communications. That foundation set the tone for the rest of my journey as an artist.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

After college, I moved to downtown Chicago and worked as a graphic designer, but the corporate world didn’t feel right. I gave myself a six-month window to launch my own invitation design business — and never looked back.

Eventually, I moved back to Arizona, started my family, and continued growing my business. It was during that time that I created the first-ever wooden wedding invitation — a unique idea that set me apart with wedding planners and clients alike. One of my favorite creative accomplishments was creating a dress made entirely out of paper, which was displayed at the Phoenix Art Museum.

When my oldest son was diagnosed with epilepsy, everything shifted. I stepped away from work to become his advocate. Creatively, I felt disconnected — I stopped making art and struggled to find inspiration. But slowly, I found my way back through photography and painting.

Then something unexpected happened: during COVID, when isopropyl alcohol was hard to find, we discovered that the 190-proof moonshine from my family’s distillery — Cedar Mountain Moonshine — could be used to activate alcohol inks. That moment sparked something entirely new. Shine Art was born — a creative process I now share with my sister-in-law, who’s also an artist. The way the moonshine interacts with the ink is raw, unpredictable, and emotional — much like life itself.

In 2022, I began hosting painting events to teach others how to create with alcohol inks and moonshine. Since then, I’ve had the joy of guiding over 300 people in discovering their own creativity through Shine Art.

My work has been featured in juried exhibitions, including The Hidden Truths Project – The Art of Epilepsy, which raises awareness for those living with epilepsy, with shows in Boston, Newport Beach, and Chicago — the city where my creative journey first took flight. I’ve also exhibited locally at the Herberger Theater Art Gallery and the Phoenix Art Museum.

Today, my art is a reflection of resilience, connection, and creative freedom — and I feel incredibly lucky to do what I love.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

I truly believe everyone has a creative side — it’s just a matter of finding the right medium to unlock it. Creativity isn’t reserved for artists or designers; it’s how we solve problems, express emotion, or see the world differently.

My own journey has taken unexpected turns — from photography to graphic design to wedding invitations and now to painting with moonshine. I didn’t follow a straight line, and I definitely didn’t know where it would lead. But what I’ve learned through my own rediscovery is that creativity is always there, waiting for you — especially in moments when you feel lost or disconnected.

That’s why I teach Shine Art. It’s not about perfection or making something “right.” It’s about letting go, playing with possibility, and realizing that you are more creative than you think.

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

Definitely. Early on, I wish I had known about communities and support networks for artists—places where I could connect with others facing similar challenges like imposter syndrome and creative blocks. Discovering those connections sooner would have been invaluable.

Social media, especially Instagram, has been a game changer for me. It helped me find a vibrant community of alcohol ink artists and creatives from all over the world. That sense of belonging and shared inspiration has kept me motivated and growing as an artist.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.amymachale.com
• Instagram: @amymachale
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-machale-529b21aa/
• Other: [email protected]

Image Credits

Jennifer Bowen
Becky Ankeny
Elyse Hall