We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Amy Voss. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Amy below.
Hi Amy, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
When we’re young, our purpose is to grow and learn. I feel like that remains constant throughout our life. However I also think that through every phase of life, our purpose can also change and become multi-faceted. I find purpose as a wife, as a mother and as an artist, but they are not all the same. As an artist, I want to create art that brings people joy. My creative process feeds that purpose. The beginning of my creative process teaches me things, the middle challenges me to step outside my comfort zone, and the end forces me to be vulnerable. The entire thing has me always growing, and always learning. Many purposes all wrapped into one.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
After graduating Southern Methodist University in Dallas, I worked in the entertainment industry, as Southwest Promotions Director for Lyric Street Records, Affiliate Relations Director for ESPN Radio, and then ABC Television network. I left my 10-year corporate career to take on motherhood, and quickly discovered a passion for working with glass, an activity that channeled my love of music into an art form. A self taught artist, I experimented with various approaches before I landed on my signature style: glass sculptures that incorporate the body of an acoustic guitar as canvas—a silhouette that, with its curves and sexiness, give an added dimension to this bold and edgy work. In 2009, I launched Glass Axes. Each piece of glass used to create these sculptures is hand cut, and each guitar sculpture is one of a kind. My process is ever evolving, and with each design I finds new ways to incorporate ideas or embellishments that make each piece unique and special. My guitar sculptures have been acquired by private collectors, and renowned entertainment industry execs; as well as hotels and restaurants. They have been shown internationally at Carrousel du Louvre in Paris, and Gallery Prive in Budapest. On October 13, 2023 – 18 guitars are currently on display at Daum Gallery in the Dallas Design District for a Rocktoberfest Art Show.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Patience. As an artist you have to have patience in your process and especially in your business. Not everyone is going to love what you do. Not everyone is going to understand what you do. But don’t try to appeal to everyone. You want to appeal to those that find joy in what you create. It takes time to find those people. And it’s completely worth it when you do.
Confidence. Have confidence in yourself and what you are creating. With each piece that you create, it can feel like you’re putting yourself out there for the world to judge. Nothing is more vulnerable than that. That confidence makes it easier to allow yourself to be vulnerable. With vulnerability comes authenticity. That confidence also makes it easier to get through the tough parts of being an artist – the tough parts of being seen, and selling your work.
Community. Surround yourself with other artists. We’re all going through the same challenges, and we can all learn from each others experiences. We can all help each other get to where we want to be. There is space for everyone, there is a place for every type of artist.
Alright, so before we go we want to ask you to take a moment to reflect and share what you think you would do if you somehow knew you only had a decade of life left?
As an artist, there is a constant challenge of getting the right kind of exposure for your work. Finding that niche where the business side of your creative process thrives. I’ve learned through this on-going challenge that while the business side will forever have its ups and down, you have to keep creating. The creative side balances the business side.. Never stop creating.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://glassaxes.com
- Instagram: @amyvossart
- Facebook: @glassaxes
- Linkedin: amyvoss
Image Credits
Rob Chickering IG: @thechickeringproject
