By Meghan Peterson
(October 23, 2022)—Ever speak with someone and wonder how that person does it all? More – do you ever wonder how that person does it all so well and with genuine talent to boot? Amy White is that person. She is a sheer artistic tour de force. She also happens to live right here in Haddam – for 40 years to be exact.
Amy is one of the most down-to-earth artist-humans you will meet. Whether they conjure peacefulness in a forest or boundless joy a bird’s song brings, Amy’s paintings hold beauty and meaning in a way only a dedicated artist can convey.
Amy’s penchant for artistry began as a young child and has become a part of her life –indeed, a part of her identity and the way she moves about, expresses and communicates throughout this world.
When you look at her art, you can see how Amy distills visual expression clearly and effectively. When you speak with Amy, you quickly realize why: her disposition is grounded, focused, open, kind. Art imitates life. “Do you ever have a story in your mind when you paint?” Amy looked at me, paused, and replied, “No…I am in it, focused on the work at hand.” She did say, however, that if she could pick one painting to enter its scene and inhabit, it would be her work for the Cooper Firearms Company of Montana.
A prolific painter, Amy’s home is brimming with various artwork pieces greeting visitors throughout. In addition, Amy is highly skilled in the art of sign-lettering. A physically taxing occupation that requires meticulous attention to details, sign-lettering appealed to Amy’s desire for artistic excellence and productivity. Beginning as an apprentice to a company in New London, Amy talks at length about the long 10- to 12-hour days working to get the job done over the course of 3, 4 or 5 days on a truck or boat. These efforts were not in vain. Amy’s labors of love earned her recognition. For example, Amy was tasked with lettering several fishing boats belonging to Jimmy Buffett. Enjoy following car racing? Amy got the job of lettering Randy LaJoie’s car in the 1984 Daytona 500. What about the boating world? Yes, Amy has done work for that arena as well – she lettered an America’s Cup Boat.
On a solemn note (and one of her most impactful artistic memories), Amy lettered in gold leaf the names of several first responders who died during the September 11, 2001 attacks (specifically, Tower One in Manhattan).
Despite (or more likely, because of) her artistic prowess, Amy continues to take art classes and be a lifelong student. This is resonant with her ability to apply her artistry beyond the canvas as well: she and her husband Ray are artists in their garden and yard. They grow a variety of flowers, shrubbery, trees – even pumpkins!
When Amy is not painting or thinking about painting, she is: wife, mother, grandmother to her granddaughters, whom she is actively educating in art and history, Treasurer of the East Haddam Art League, and she has served as the League’s Manager for the Gallery at the East Haddam Town Municipal Building for the past four years – where Amy’s artistic impact resonates on both sides of the River. Moreover, Amy has been a frequent exhibitor in various juried art exhibits. Currently, Amy is doing a commissioned series of five or more large animal wildlife paintings for the Cooper Firearms of Montana (for which she has produced work over the last 3 years), and creating miniature festive/seasonal paintings of birds that will be available for sale at Town & Country Nurseries as well as at Ursel’s Web in Middletown.
Want to learn more about Amy and her artistry? Check out her website:www.amplifiedartstudio.com. The art she creates will remind you that inspiration – and great people – are right here in Haddam.
Photos courtesy of Amy White.
