It’s Wednesday, and that means another edition of the Wednesday Indie Artist Fixx interview series. Today’s interview is with Amy Allison of SODA. Amy is a multi-talented artist who uses her super cute illustrations to decorate her ceramics, wallpaper, fabric as well on cards, prints & books.
What’s the name of your business, what do you create and sell and how did you get your start?
SODA by amy…I started out illustrating cards and making small drawings for friends in high school and family too. I loved art classes and was lucky enough to be able to start my business a few years back. I’ve graduated college with design degrees like furniture + interior design and even ceramics. Somehow, these creative passions work really well together and I was able to use them to design wallpaper and textiles, porcelain home goods and creative paper goods. I love being able to not only design, but actually create most of the pieces myself for others.
Share some of your inspirations.
So many! My family and husband are constant inspiration and support all of my creative endeavors…the good and the bad. I love Ruth Duckworth‘s ceramic sculptures…her studio was right down the street from mine. I also have great respect for my previous boss Holly Hunt and her number one furniture line, Christian Liaigre.
What’s your favorite part of having a creative business? Is there ever anything about it that drives you crazy?
My favorite part is, of course, the creative part. Maaking, drawing, coming up with new products and sketching. Anyone who has a business knows that the true fun days are often few and far between…with lots of stacks of paper to file, bills to pay and miscellaneous grunt work most of the time. I also really enjoy the people I meet who come to the art fairs!
Share something silly about yourself.
I’m terribly clumsy…many porcelain cups and charms have lost a life on the concrete studio floor!
Were you an arty craftsy kid?
Definitely! I remember making my first watercolor painting in elementary school.
What other types of crafty stuff to you do?
I’ve tried a little of everything it seems…but love letterpress printing. I have a small platen press that was my grandfathers. Every time I use it I think of him.
What 3 things can’t you live without?
Friends and family of course! I’m addicted to the Lush line of bath melts and couldn’t survive a summer w/out a trip to the family lake cottage.
What do you think/hope/wish you’ll be doing in five years?
I hope that I’m a better artist and have learned something unexpectedly perfect in between.
