BIO

Amy Lewis paints snapshots of ordinary life glamorized. Lewis is inspired by fashion editorials and historic paintings of aristocracy. She pairs everyday subjects with rich backgrounds to create a juxtaposition between the ordinary and the luxurious. Her representational watercolor and oil paintings, rich in color and detail, draw attention to the things we take for granted. Lewis is a self-taught artist from Tacoma, Washington, who paints to cultivate joy and an appreciation for the beauty that is all around us. In 2023, she was featured in Gita Joshi’s Art Seen magazine and organized her own group pop-up exhibition in Seattle.

‍

ARTIST STATEMENT

My work is a practice in gratitude. It is the cultivation of joy and an appreciation for the beauty that is all around us. I’m constantly exploring ways to portray ordinary life as glamorous. Everyday objects paired with luxurious backgrounds create a juxtaposition which sparks an appreciation for the things we take for granted. Fashion editorials and historic paintings of aristocracy are rich sources of inspiration. Fashion editorials often use contrasting themes to create tension. Paintings of aristocracy are rich with examples of luxury, from the satin slippers to the velvety curtain backdrop.

I work in watercolor and oil paints. Each painting, regardless of the medium, is at least three layers, which creates a vivid, smooth surface. Watercolor paintings are done on a cold press watercolor paper which has been mounted on a cradled wood panel. Oil paintings are done on a primed cradled wood panel.

Inspired by the beauty of the ordinary, I am reminded to be grateful and to use my privileges for the good of others. My work explores how we can find contentment in our everyday lives, no matter how much or little we have, if we can have gratitude and appreciate the beauty in the ordinary.

‍