I am Amy Mester, a multi-faceted artist currently living in MINNEAPOLIS, MN.
My work ranges in both subject and medium and is continually evolving with my interests. Art is embedded in the framework of my life; it fuels and is fueled by everything I do.
I graduated from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 2012, having explored such pursuits as fibers, stop-motion animation, natural history illustration, screenwriting and more. Before college, I had the fortunate opportunity to work with artists and the community through various internships and programs. This included a prestigious Junior Fellowship with the Grand Rapids Art Museum in Michigan 2001-2003. Additionally, I was part of the 2009 ArtWorks program in conjunction with the Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts in Grand Rapids, MI.
Inspiration comes in many forms, the natural world being a major player. My love for the outdoors spans life's entirety; a glimpse of deep-sea creatures from childhood really spurred my interest in biology and its endless, terrifying beauty. I took classes in these subjects in order to give deep life to imagined designs and reinforce the accuracy in tangible figures. I seek stories, mainly; stories of adaptations and mutations in the animal and plant kingdom, stories of explorers reaching dark corners of the world, stories of grand myth rooted in reality... I seek to illustrate those stories, to interpret them with vivid color and furthermore, to relay those stories to friends and new friends. Art serves as the perfect device through which to converse and entertain, to learn and energize and feel that childhood sense of wonderment.
My work can also be functional, and is usually prompted by a need for something. From backpacks to sketchbooks to iron tools I am, piece after piece, honing the skills necessary for producing the goods I use every day. My creativity is frequently fueled by a void in my toolbox, followed by the stubborn decision to make said tool rather than buy it. Through these processes, I learn new techniques and take pride in the final product.
If you are interested in contacting me, I welcome you to reach out and start a conversation! Beyond the profitable sphere of my artwork, I am chiefly interested in building relationships with fellow artists, collaborating creatively, and continuing the quest to create with wild abandon.