Rising Stars: Meet Amy Moglia Heuerman

Today we’d like to introduce you to Amy Moglia Heuerman. 

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I was born an artist. I have always loved to draw. When in school, I could be caught drawing the teacher’s shoes or someone’s backpack instead of taking notes! I’ve had a few art classes, but basically, I’m self-taught. 

I didn’t think I would be able to support myself as an artist, so I had other jobs. I graduated from the University of Richmond with a degree in education. However, as time went on, the passion for art kept gnawing at me. 

I started by making greeting cards, baby announcements, and invitations. I would use a very thin ink line and watercolor to make detailed whimsical images. This grew into a business (Bear Hug Designs) where we would go to shows in New York, Atlanta, and Los Angeles to sell wholesale to stores around the country. 

After five years, I transitioned into licensing my artwork for a variety of products. This was exciting for me because it allowed me to draw more. I worked with Toys R Us, Peggy Karr Glass, Snapfish, Nana Banana Classics, and many more companies creating books, games, puzzles, china, and more. 

Later, I began to paint. 

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
From 20 years of illustrating, I knew that I understood the process of making art. I thought if I could figure out how to apply the product to the canvas and clean my brushes, I could probably paint. However, I was so used to drawing tiny and detailed that it was a challenge to loosen and broaden my strokes. I solved this by buying bigger and bigger canvases to paint! It became natural and fun to paint in this new more abstract style. 

As I’ve worked over the years, I’ve become more confident. This in itself, helps the art to be braver. It’s natural to feel vulnerable so I keep reminding myself, it’s only canvas and paint! I learn every day and wonder what is to come as I continue to grow. 

I believe my journey made me who I am today. As an illustrator, I not only learned color, composition, and style but also how to run a business. That has helped me tremendously as being successful as a painter requires an understanding of running a business. How do I develop a team to help me? How do I market myself? handle social media? find a truck to deliver to an out-of-state collector? run an event in the gallery? keep accurate records? It’s time-consuming and important. My past experience was valuable. 

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I paint a variety of subjects and in different styles. This keeps me fresh and enthusiastic. There are coastals, impressionistic florals, a series of girls, and large abstracts. 

All my paintings begin with an underpainting of red. Not a wash, but a real and confident color. Red elicits emotion and captures attention. It is strong and passionate. It’s a perfect beginning to the story. 

I try to paint a feeling, an emotion. For me, it’s more about what the heart feels than what the brain sees when looking at the finished painting. I like to build a history. The painting should have a spirit somewhat like a person. A person has layers of experience, layers of emotions, a lifetime that has made them who they are. I translate those layers into colors, marks, and intentional strokes. Some are covered, others removed and some allowed to shine. The paintings build with a gut feeling of layers. It can be raw and vulnerable, happy and energetic, serene and calm. Sometimes they become chaos before they finalize in what I hope is a positive place. 

We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you.
I’m not sure luck has much to do with my journey. I paint all the time. I’m passionate and dedicated. When you nurture the dream, it’s bound to grow. 

I would say I’m a bit of a risk-taker. I opened my first gallery/studio so that I would have a place to paint and I’d save my home from flying paint! I sink my teeth into my work and love the time I spend there. Customers enjoy visiting and watching the process. With my paint-splattered shirt and paint in my hair, there is a certain excitement and spontaneous energy. Casual conversations start and people hang out and ask questions. They engage. My clientele grows. And it is fun. 

Contact Info:

• Website: AmyArt.net
• Instagram: amy_moglia_heuerman
• Facebook: Amy Moglia Heuerman