It is such a thrill to officially announce our newest artist Amy Elizabeth Crabb! Amy Elizabeth Crabb is a fine artist based in Tupelo, Mississippi. After living all over the South as a child, Amy graduated with a BA in History from Converse College and settled in Mississippi. A lifelong creative with a background in event planning and marketing, she discovered a passion for painting while taking a watercolor class with her children. Amy’s work is ever evolving as she draws inspiration from classically beautiful interiors, her love of the rural South and an affinity for all things English. Self-aught and always exploring new media and techniques, her signature color palette and rich texture can be seen across all her pieces. We are so excited to introduce Amy! Read more about the woman behind the artist as well as her inspirations in this post Pardon Me, Amy Elizabeth Crabb.
What is currently on your nightstand?
Hand lotion, ibuprofen and a pack of Frownies- all the middle aged essentials.
Who is your biggest influence as an artist and why?
There are so many talented artists, past and present, whose work I admire, but I’m probably most influenced by really beautiful design. I love a collected, classic, timeless look with a good mix of old and new. When I see a beautiful room, I immediately want to paint something for it. When I hit a creative block, I grab a design book. Textiles also heavily influence my paintings; my most recent botanicals are inspired by the traditions of Indiennes and Suzani block printing.
Tell us about your childhood. What is the most memorable moment as a young person?
I had a pretty simple childhood- I thank the heavens every day that I grew up before smartphones, or even the internet. My dad was a preacher and we moved a good bit, so my younger sister and I were really close. My kids are baffled when I tell them the stuff we did for fun- we’d catch crawdads or go “hiking” in our neighbor’s pasture, sell “shiny rocks” to neighbors, played lots of cards and monopoly, and watched the same movies on VHS over and over.
If you could only have one supply in your art studio, what would it be and why?
Probably a pencil. I love my paints but I think as long as I could sketch I’d be ok.
What is your favorite room in your house? Describe it.
Our breakfast room. Its not really a room, more of a nook, but it has big windows and great light. It overlooks the back yard and we get lots of bird and bunny visitors. We have a dining room but we eat 99% of our meals in this room, around a scuffed up hand me down oak table that belonged to my late mother in law. It’s where everything happens- meals, homework, cookie decorating, arts and crafts, etc.
What is your biggest score online?
oh I’m addicted to Facebook marketplace. My biggest score is probably the antique English cupboard in my dining room.
What is the benefit of buying art through a collective? What do you recommend for those that are new to buying original art?
Buying art through a collective is honestly genius. You get such a wide range of artists, mediums and price points to choose from. Expert curators and gallerists have already done the hard work of sourcing pieces that are high quality and a smart investment. If you're new to buying original art, buy what you love! Don't worry about whether it "goes with your decor" or if you have a space for it. If you love it, it will work!
If you have the entire day to spend in an art museum, which one and why?
Probably The Met. You could spend days there and still not see everything.
What is your favorite hotel and what makes it special?
The Elizabeth Leigh Inn- shameless plug but it’s actually the bed and breakfast my parents own in Hendersonville, NC. It was built in 1898 and they restored it about 25 years ago. It has the loveliest English-style gardens, the most comfortable beds and a huge porch to sit and drink coffee or wine. My mom is so hospitable and the best cook; she always has something freshly baked in the butler's pantry and makes a huge country spread for breakfast every day. It's not the home I grew up in but it has so many great memories. We had our wedding reception there in 2003 and my college friends and I meet there once or twice a year for a girls weekend.
If you were a lipstick color would you be red, pink, or clear and why?
I'm definitely more of a pink girl. Red seems so serious, and I'm anything but serious.
I can never get on a plane without….
Chewing gum (the only time I chew gum), a good book and layers. I'm always extremely hot or cold on a plane.
How did you get into the world of art?
I've always been creative but never considered myself artistic. Several years ago, I took a homeschool watercolor class with my kids and fell in love. When the world shut down for Covid, I all of a sudden had the time to really pursue painting. I took online classes, read books and spent hours honing my craft. I honestly think if you want something bad enough, you can learn to be good at most anything- whether its painting, writing, photography, cooking. Natural talent is just a tiny part of it- passion and practice is what sets you apart.
What do you do to relax?
Go to the barn. I used to ride but my 29 year old horse is officially retired now, so I hand walk or groom her. I love the open space, rolling hills and all the sounds and smells. It just clears my mind in a way that nothing else does.
When do you get the biggest surge of inspiration?
When I'm traveling or watching a movie with a really beautiful setting- like Sense and Sensibility, Little Women or a Nancy Meyers film.
Prediction for the Color of 2025?
Blue and green will always be my favorites but recently I'm kind of obsessed with that Americana Lobster red color.
What is your idea of a date night? Dinner and a movie or dancing all night?
My husband and I have recently started playing pickleball and it's our favorite way to spend a date night! Followed by a really good burger and a cold beer, and then maybe a funny movie.
Tell us about your favorite painting that you have created.
One of the first watercolors I ever did. It's a loose landscape with a tiny barn in the distance. I named it "Someday Farm', because it represents my dream of living on land like that. I sold prints of the piece but I still have the original. It's part of a gallery wall in my hallway.
One piece of advice for buying original art?
Buy what you love. Don't overthink it. If you love it, you'll find a place for it.
