Hi Puzzlers! We have something new this week, where we are going to highlight some local artists and vendors! We hope you enjoy and give us your feedback. Let us know if you have suggestions as to other artists we can highlight.

This week we are chatting with Amy Whitney, an artist in the Quebec area. Here is her Etsy link:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/AreyaLight

I spoke to Amy and sent her the below questions. The answers and information are very interesting.  Thanks for your time Amy!

Me: Can we learn a little bit about your background? Tell us about yourself!

Amy: I grew up here in Cote Saint-Luc with influence from both American culture and French culture. My father's side of the family is based in Colorado, and my mother's here in Quebec. Because of this, a few times a year I would travel to see my grandfather who lived in the Ontario country. I really enjoyed going and visiting there because there were always plenty of animals and birds to watch. Although, those visits also taught me that I'm definitely a city girl! I much prefer the quiet suburbs of the city to downtown. There are parks that I visit often to see the wildlife and exercise, so I find it an ideal mix.

I've always been an animal lover, and I hold a special fondness for birds. I'm very fortunate to have backyard visitors that come to both the feeders and my hand for special treats, and I greatly enjoy seeing them every day.

I'm also a big fan of video games. Ever since I was little, I was surrounded with video game culture, both of my parents played different games, it was only a matter of time before I started playing them too. Role playing games, pocket monster games (like Pokémon), and adventure puzzle games are my absolute favorites.

I also enjoy baking in my spare time. I like to make cakes for my family and bake from recipes that I learned from my French grandmother when I was younger. 

Me: How did you get started with this work? When did you start? How did you learn?

Amy: I started drawing when I was just a little kid. My mom still likes to joke that she remembers me colouring in colouring sheets so beautifully... but then halfway just quickly finishing the rest because I got tired of it. But ever since I was small, I loved to draw. My passions for animals, mythical beasts and birds were my inspirations for drawing back then. I learned by studying other art and images in books and trying to draw them. Then I moved on to drawing from my imagination as well. This type of practice is a very important tool of learning about the subject you are drawing. I also took some courses in nude modeling to help me learn more about the human body. Even then, I still struggle with drawing bodies. I think that's something I'll have to keep practicing to improve.

These days I draw both my own renditions with multiple images as reference, and some drawings from pictures I have taken of animals.

Me: what inspires your work?

Amy: Pokémon and video games are things that really inspire my art. I end up falling in love with the characters and then find myself really want to create art of them.

Me: How do you create your work? What tools do you use?

Amy: Currently I've been using the app procreate for the iPad to draw/paint my designs. Sometimes I make sketches in my mixed media sketch pad before I turn them into scans or pictures that I then use to start a digital file. I find digital files to be more flexible to turn my art into keychains or stickers.

Me: What other artists inspire you? Do you have favorites?

Amy: I'm a big fan of weiishiart and Sakimi-chan. I met Sakimi-chan at Otakuthon a few years back and ever since then I've been a big fan of hers. Her mastery of the human body, dynamic poses and realistic detailing are things that drew me to her.

Me: What are your plans for future projects?

Amy: I plan to draw and design some cute bird stickers of the backyard birds that frequent my yard. I also have a goal of setting up a booth at a convention next summer!