About Amy
It all began at a fairly low point in my life. I had just returned from teaching English in China and was floundering about, unsure of what to do next. My mother suggested I take a watercolor class - probably hoping I would stop my navel gazing. I loved it and from that point forward I painted, took classes, workshops, visited art museums and then painted some more.
In between the painting, life happened and sometimes it felt like life just didn't want me to be an artist. I've learned that the act of painting doesn't always happen in a studio with sunshine on your shoulders and classical music playing in the background. Sometimes you paint on the kitchen table after a long day at work. It took a while, but I’m finally a full-time artist and watercolor teacher.
Watercolor is called the medium of light. The white of the paper is as important as the colors I use. Painting in watercolors has trained my eyes and heart to look for the light. I've learned to plan for the light in my paintings and look for it in my life. I know it sounds a bit corny but, it's very true. That's the amazing thing about art, it can change you!
I've painted in between all the cracks and changes of life including various jobs, moving (lots of that), marrying and now "mommying". My journey has been much like a watercolor itself - full of fuzzy and hard edges, puddles of swirling color and full of light. I am inspired by my garden, nature and the everyday beauty of home and life. I live in central Virginia in the beautiful hilly town of Lynchburg, Virginia.
You can find my art in stores near you!
It’s been such a thrill to have my work in retail stores nationwide. You can find my work in Belk, Hobby Lobby, @Home and TJ Maxx. And this is just the beginning! I’m always on the hunt for opportunities to collaborate.
Please feel free to reach out to me if you are interested in commissioning work for licensing or would like to see a larger range of my portfolio.
Workshop and Cooperate Event Art Classes
Over the last few years, it’s been exciting to experience a surge of interest in the art of watercolor painting. It’s been exciting to introduce so many people to this art form. And if I may toot my own horn, I’m pretty good at calming the anxiety that accompanies a person who has to try something new -especially watercolor painting! I have taught in a variety of settings from home birthday parties, bridal showers to corporate team building experiences. This includes corporate events for Edward Jones, holiday parties for Barnes Jewish Hospital scientists, financial groups and so on. My classes are designed to last no more than two hours. Within the two hours each participant learns the basics of watercolors and comes home with a piece of their very own. If you would like more information, please email me. I would love to answer all your questions.
Interview with Design STL Magazine
“The abundance of natural light streaming into Amy Woods’ home studio is ideal for growing plants and, in Woods’ case, for painting them. Scattered about the attic are dozens of paintings of flowers—a bouquet of pink peonies, a vase of bright-yellow tulips—rendered in soothing watercolor palettes.”
Amy’s Teaching at Bowood Farms
On teaching art during Covid
“Professionally this time has been really interesting and forced me to do some things I wouldn’t have done a couple of months ago. I taught and still am teaching virtual watercolor classes through Zoom which not only has kept me afloat, but also have really been quite encouraging. When you see a community of people coming together to create art, there is something beautiful and uplifting even if it’s not in person.
Questions, Comments, Queries …
