The Well + Wonder bench keeps getting deeper and deeper. We've got painters, ladies who lend their hands to collage, and, as of today, a pressed botanical artist on our roster. Our artists are beyond talented, and we are beside ourselves for the opportunity to add more. We are so excited to welcome another new artist to Well + Wonder early next week (Tuesday, April 8th at 10 am to be precise). Welcome, Amy Spencer! A Baton Rouge, Louisiana local, Amy has always had a natural talent for creating beauty around her. She is an artist who uses nature as her primary medium. Her favorite pieces to work with are the forgotten and overlooked things of nature - like wildflowers and weeds. If her art had a story, she says it would be a story of wonder. Her goal is to inspire people to look at the world around them and appreciate the beauty of ordinary things. Amy's debut collection releases on Well + Wonder Tuesday at 10 am and believe us when we say we will be counting down the minutes! Continue reading to step inside Amy's studio prior to her Well + Wonder launch!
What is currently on your nightstand?
A sleep mask, foot cream, misc. books, pics of my boys when they were babies, and a copy of the prayer of examen.
Who is your biggest influence as an artist and why?
I love Van Gogh because his work carries the story of his life - it’s beautiful and heartbreaking and his depiction of ordinary things celebrates imperfection and the desire to be present. I also love Matisse for his color and lines. Current artists I love - Wayne Pate and Lulie Wallace come to mind, but there are so many more I could name.
Tell us about your childhood.
I grew up in the Pacific Northwest. I spent long days in the summer playing with neighborhood friends, riding bikes, and exploring the nearby park. I shared a room with my younger sister. During the winter, we would rearrange our room and I would decorate the space with dried flowers and posters I had collected. As far back as I can remember, I’ve always been interested in the elements that make up a comfortable room, including art.
What is the most memorable moment as a young person?
I grew up in the pristinely beautiful Pacific Northwest. My Dad was a pastor so we did not have a lot of expendable income, but my parents made it a point to take vacations together as a family every year. We often stayed at Cannon Beach for a week, some of my favorite memories are there. They also took us on what felt like to me at the time, every hiking trail in Oregon. I did not appreciate this when I was younger, but I look back on it with a lot of fondness.
If you could only have one supply in your art studio, what would it be and why?
My favorite white paint, because it would be a great base for whatever project I wanted to execute.
What is your favorite room in your house? Describe it.
Our living room. It’s soft pink and has the coziest sofa that feels like a feather bed. It also has two large built-in bookshelves that house all of our favorite things we’ve read through the years. It feels collected and lived in, not too perfect. It’s the place we are all together.
What is your biggest score online?
A like-new Lee Industries sofa for $400 - if you know anything about design, that’s a good deal.
What is the benefit of buying art through a collective?
Lots of options and the ability to be introduced to different styles of art and artists. Sometimes we get stuck in a rut of our own taste, exposure helps us expand our horizons.
What do you recommend for those that are new to buying original art?
I like to advise people to purchase art through two lenses - will it fit/work in my space and do I resonate with it. If the first is no, but you feel a strong pull towards the work, buy it anyways. You will eventually find a place for it. The most important prerequisite to purchasing art is a connection to it.
If you have the entire day to spend in an art museum, which one and why?
I would love to go to the Rijksmuseum and then walk over to the Van Gogh museum. I’d love to see the Dutch masterpieces and then spend time with Van Gogh’s works. Hopefully this answer isn’t cheating.:)
What is your favorite hotel and what makes it special?
The Stephanie Inn at Cannon Beach. It’s a great hotel situated right in front of the beach house that I grew up going to.
If you were a lipstick color would you be red, pink, or clear and why?
Clear - I prefer more of a natural vibe.
I can never get on a plane without….
Being nervous…I hate flying.
How did you get into the world of art?
I would say I came to art through interior design. As I said above, I’ve always had an interest in the idea of a beautiful, comfortable room. I believe the feel of a room has a big effect on how we live. As I explored more, I found my real interest was creating art that would contribute to creating a feeling within the space. I think of my pieces as quiet players within the room, but if desired, they could also play the leading role. Having a background in design helps guide me in what I create and gives me a different perspective.
What do you do to relax?
Read, take a bath, sit outside on my back porch and watch my boys play.
When do you get the biggest surge of inspiration?
In the morning after my cup of coffee, but sometimes I get a big idea while I’m running or driving.
Prediction for the Color of 2026?
Chartreuse
What is your idea of a date night?
Dinner at our favorite Mexican restaurant, and a cup of coffee at the local bookstore afterward.
Dinner and a movie or dancing all night?
Dinner and a movie for sure
Tell us about your favorite painting that you have created.
I think it would be one of my botanical collage pieces. I use 30 or so different specimens of everyday weeds and wildflowers along with a paint and paper process. Each specimen has it’s own piece of paper. I combine all of the pieces together in rows and columns and it’s just a beautiful tribute to the ordinary and overlooked things of nature.
One piece of advice for buying original art?
Start collecting today and make it a goal to buy one piece a year. It doesn’t have to be exclusive, for greater affordability, look for local emerging artists.
