Amy Drews, a graphic designer living in the neighborhood, had an artistic transformation during the Covid-19 pandemic. She had spent many years in front of a computer screen but longed to connect with her creative side in a more hands-on and tangible way.
During the pandemic, Drews began serving as the art liaison for the Give Grief a Voice Project. The non-profit program pairs grieving parents with professional writers and artists to create an artistic representation of their child’s life. The finished work is provided at no cost to the families. Deeply moved by the project, Drews felt a growing desire to create art herself.
Just before the pandemic shut down our normal lives, Drews found herself brainstorming ideas for an art piece after an emotional interview with a grieving family with whom she was working. A week later, the lockdown began, and she picked up a paintbrush for the first time in years.
“I just wanted to do something with my hands and get away from the screen.”
What began as a creative outlet in a challenging time quickly grew into a passion. Eventually, she stopped taking graphic design projects to focus on her paintings. Over time, she took online art classes and began connecting with other local artists, building her skills and discovering her artistic voice.
Amy’s early works were colorful, often reflecting the joy she was experiencing while learning about color mixing and abstract forms. She began with vibrant florals mixed with bright abstract shapes but has since evolved. Today her pieces incorporate more texture, depth, and subtlety. She loves experimenting with layering paint, collage, and mixed-media techniques, often working on multiple pieces at once.
“I love working with textures,” she explains. “I’ll scrape, sand, and cut into the board, using whatever materials feel right in the moment.”
Last year, Amy’s art reached a new milestone when she sold her first piece at an art show in Sisters, Oregon.
“It was surreal,” she says. “I sold it to a complete stranger, and I was so excited!”
Since then, she has continued to develop her unique style, which she describes as “colorful, lively, and balanced.” Her graphic design background still influences her artwork, particularly in her use of white space and her attention to composition.
Amy credits her creative growth to her willingness to experiment and push boundaries.
“If you’re interested in painting, just start,” she advises. “Don’t worry about the outcome. Play, have fun, and let the process take you where it wants to go.”
You can see more of Amy’s work at amydrewsart.com or on Instagram @amydrewsart.
David Friedman, @friedart, is a visual artist specializing in papercutting, printmaking, and painting. He and his dog, Poppi @poppipdx, can be seen daily at Wilshire Park. His work is on display at the Alberta Street Gallery, daily 11-7.