Amy Abshier-Reyes

Amy Abshier-Reyes


"I was raised on the Texas Gulf Coast, in a small farming and ranching community. I moved to Kansas City, Missouri to attend classes at the Kansas City Art Institute, where I received my bachelor’s degree in fine art in 1997. I relocated to Ventura, California in 2001, and my husband and I moved back to Kansas City in the spring of 2005. I've done illustrations for books, magazines, and album covers over the years, but I'm really happy doing my own thing these days.

Currently I'm represented by the Blue Gallery in Kansas City, but have exhibited all over the country.

I have a studio in the attic of our house where I work on my larger oil paintings, but I usually set up my watercolor paints right in the dining room to work on small pieces and ACEOs. (ACEOs are small works of art that measure 2.5 x 3.5 inches, trading card size. ACEO is an acronym for Artist Cards, Editions and Originals.) I can paint at the dining table and still keep an eye on my kids, dinner, etc, etc. My set-up is simple and easy to put away for mealtimes.

I have a regular day job that's pretty interesting: I work as an auction house manager for the KC Auction Company and I'm a CAGA certified personal property appraiser, evaluating antiques, fine art,and other things. We deal in antiques, art, glass, pottery, coins, jewelry, etc. Because we sell things on consignment, you just never know what will come into the auction house on any given day. I've seen some amazing pieces and the last 6 years have been a learning experience on so many levels; not just about antiques, but a lot about human psychology too.

A lot of people ask where I get ideas and inspiration for paintings. The ideas really do come from all over: looking at old photos or costumes or fashion books, conversations (usually overheard--I love eavesdropping. Shameful.), dreams... Sometimes just sitting down and drawing without thinking of anything in particular will produce something cool. Music is definitely something I'm passionate about (my husband and I met working together at a record store), and it plays an important role in my work as well. And I love looking at stuff! Fashion, architecture, art, design, interiors--there's so much to see and so much to get excited about, just that in itself makes me want to paint."