Amy Buchheit

Amy Buchheit.

What kind of Art/Crafts do you do?
I mostly do acrylic paintings, photography and the occasional sculpture. I also make hand crafted cards for holidays. (I enjoy making them for family, and sell some as well).

Right now my living situation and studio space is in transition, so I continue to largely focus on photography. This takes less space and supplies - all I need is my camera, computer and Photoshop. (In addition to the toys and other items I'm photographing.). When I do get settled/back to painting ... I will have plenty of reference photos to work from, as well!

Where do you create?
It depends on the project. I have had a small room (8'x10') that has doubled an art studio/storage and office for the last 10 years. When I'm painting, I'm there, as well as when I am doing the corrections on my photos. (My marketing/sales work as well.)

When I'm making hand-crafted cards, I set up in the living room on the coffee table. I have a large coffee table, and it is simply more room to spread out/more comfortable for me to work there.

For sculpture projects I can be working in the living room and/or outside on the patio or under the carport.



How do you keep all your supplies organised?
I have a flat file atop a 6 drawer dresser in my office/studio, and numerous stacking plastic bins as well as a closet organizer. The drawers are labelled with what is inside so I can find things quickly and easily. Shelves and a file cabinet help keep my reference books and office records in order

How do you keep yourself motivated to keep your space tidy?
I wish I kept it tidier, actually With the studio and office being in the same space I find it difficult at times. Especially with my "office" cat, Bitsy ... she likes to help out by knocking all stacks of papers onto the floor.

It is important to keep as organized as possible. It is not fun to need something *now* and not have a clue where it is!



Any tips for how to keep art spaces tidy or organised?
Label label label. Everything needs a place. I find if it has a label, I am less likely to put it somewhere else. Another tip? Put it back where you found it!

Do you get stressed out when your space gets in a mess?
Mostly, no - because of my helpful kitty cat, there are often papers everywhere. I just do my best to get to them ASAP and in the meantime, work around them



Do space limitations get in the way of projects you have in mind?
Not really - I find the limitations are less on creating, and more of a storage issue. I can find ways to create larger projects as needed, particularly when the weather is decent (as noted, I have worked in the carport!). But unless it has a home the minute it is finished ... where am I going to keep it? That ... as well as how I'm going to transport it ... is what limits the size of my work from getting too large.

If you could have your dream space tomorrow what would it look like?
1,200+ square feet of space, high ceilings, stocked with every supply I need in well-organized spaces, open feel to it. One floor (no stairs). A cosy reading area near a kitchenette in one section, that way I can flip through reference books and read trade magazines in comfort, plus entertain gallery owners and reporters (as well as friends who stop by).

An enclosed space with excellent ventilation with basic power tools for woodworking (jig saw, chop saw, table saw, sander, etc.) and all the tools I need for building. The equipment would be top-notch and collect dust as the cutting was done (where ever possible). The room would be sealed so that dust doesn't penetrate the rest of the space and get on works in progress.

There would be plenty of room to hold small workshops as desired, or to have other artists over for meetings.

Of course, there would be extra-wide doorways for moving larger pieces in and out, and windows looking out into the surrounding gardens. The office would be attached but in a separate space.



What is the next big thing on your wish list for your art space?
High quality laptop computer, high quality scanner, high quality color printer (so I can print small photos and prints as well as documents

Where can people view your work or purchase it?
Oh, yes several. The Etsy site (listed at the bottom) will be opening again within the month - hand crafted cards can be purchased there!

My fine art can be viewed at all the other locations.

Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/24984610@N07/
Facebook Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Amy-Buchheit-Art/190707613301
Myspace: www.myspace.com/amybuchheit
Website: http://www.amybuchheit.com/
Etsy: (on vacation, coming soon!) http://www.etsy.com/shop/AmyBuchheit

Amy is also at present running a contest on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/note.php?saved&&suggest¬e_id=428633137200&id=190707613301


"It's a Shame for You", digital photography, copyright 2009 Amy Buchheit All Rights Reserved.

Thanks to Amy for allowing me to publish her studio photos and for taking time to answer my questions! Thank you!