About the Artist
Amy Chrisman
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| Amy comparing a print with the original painting |
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"I grew up in Hamden, Connecticut near the campus of Yale University. Although I did not have formal art training, I always enjoyed making things. In school, art class was the only subject I really enjoyed and excelled in. For many years my mother, Carolyn Beehler, taught watercolor classes to adults in the New Haven area. Perhaps I learned some basic skills for painting with watercolors through observation or osmosis.
After high school, I attended the University of Vermont. Ironically, after declaring my major in art, my parents discouraged me from pursuing this interest and I was forced to quit school. Thereafter, I worked for many years in retail stores selling outdoor sports equipment such as bicycles and skis. Eventually, I became a buyer as well. It was in my early years working in a store in Burlington, Vermont that I met my future husband, Stephen Chrisman. We were married in 1984.
During my years of living in Vermont, I took a watercolor class with Lawrence Goldsmith, author of Watercolor Bold and Free. He became a friend and mentor, and greatly encouraged me to continue painting. He has since passed away, but prints of his artwork still grace a room in our house. In this way, I feel he lives on.
In 1992, after becoming fatigued from working for years in retail, Stephen and I decided to make a radical change and move to the family farm in Danville, Illinois. The 1910 family farmhouse had been sitting vacant for about 10 years so after kicking out a family of raccoons- followed by a lot of cleaning, we took up residence. We continue to make improvements on the house and probably always will.
In 1994, our dear son Aidan was born. Two years later, he was diagnosed with autism. At about the same time, I enrolled in massage therapy school and have been working as a massage therapist ever since. Aidan is now 15 years old and is a great inspiration to me.
I decided to seriously pursue my life-long interest in art after my parents had died and then subsequently developing symptoms of fibromyalgia. I came to the realization that life is short and I am not going to live forever. I also felt as though the discomforts I was experiencing was my body shouting to me and saying: you aren't getting any younger so when are you going to do the things you have always wanted to do???
Well, I am finally trying to listen to that inner voice. So here I am, combining my interests in art, history, and serving the local community. We'll see what happens. At least I know I am following my heart."
Amy Chrisman
March 2009
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| In the studio |
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Amy has a strong interest in serving the community through her work. She enjoys being able to incorporate her interests in art and local history by making her artwork available to organizations for fundraising purposes. Through her artwork she strives to celebrate the spirit and unique qualities that make Vermilion County, Illinois special.
Aside from painting realistic building portraits and scenes, Amy also creates loose abstract watercolors, as well as mixed-media sculptures. She is an award winning artist and is known for her use of vibrant colors in her paintings. Her work can be found in private collections throughout the country.
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