Tag Archives: “vegan artist”

The Journal

Cover of The Journal featuring "Vital" by Amy Guidry; acrylic on canvas; 12"w x 6"h
Cover of The Journal featuring “Vital” by Amy Guidry; acrylic on canvas; 12″w x 6″h

My work was recently published on the cover and inside The Journal literary magazine.  My painting Vital is wrapped around the front and back cover while several other paintings from my In Our Veins series are inside.  In addition, there is an interview in which I’d like to share just one of the questions because I think it’s an important one:

SS: Is there anything you can tell me about this work that someone who doesn’t have expertise might not see or appreciate?

AG: I think people need to realize this: they are much more astute when it comes to art than they give themselves credit for.  True art will elicit an emotional response from someone, whether it’s a positive or negative reaction.  For those that enjoy my work, they often tell me that something resonates with them.  It may not be exactly what I expect the viewer to respond to, but it’s in the ballpark.  There have been times when someone finds my work “dark” and therefore they are unsure of it.  I would still consider that an accurate response because I deal with some tough issues in my work.  Animals are beautiful, nature is beautiful, and I’m trying to create something that is beautiful but at the same time sends a message.  Either way, I want to draw attention to these issues and inspire others to take action, even if it’s just small changes because every little bit helps.  That’s the takeaway I hope for when anyone looks at my work, whether they have an art degree or not.


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In Progress

Painting in progress by Amy Guidry; Acrylic on canvas; 20"w x 10"h; (c) Amy Guidry 2016
Painting in progress by Amy Guidry; Acrylic on canvas; 20″w x 10″h; (c) Amy Guidry 2016

I’ve been diligently working on a new painting in my In Our Veins series.  I have not decided on a name yet, but it is a representation of the connection of all life to the natural world.  The first layer of paint has been roughed in and I’m currently working on the horse, adding color, depth, and detail to the muscles and veins.  It is an acrylic on canvas, 20″ wide by 10″ high.  View more from this series here.


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This Is It

Installation view of paintings "Anonymous," "Ascension," and "On the Rise" all by Amy Guidry; Acrylic on canvas; (c) Amy Guidry 2016
Installation view of paintings “Anonymous,” “Ascension,” and “On the Rise” all by Amy Guidry; Acrylic on canvas; (c) Amy Guidry 2016

This week is the last week of my exhibit at LeMieux Galleries in New Orleans.  My series, In Our Veins, is on view in the Main Gallery of LeMieux now through September 24th.  You can also catch Lee Deigaard’s series, Near and Far.

I’ve had some great response to this body of work, including a feature in American Art Collector Magazine’s September 2016 issue.  And Paul Bentley of the New Orleans magazine, Where Y’At, gave me a great review stating: “…Her dreamlike landscapes with animal, human, and natural forms mixing and dancing with each other create beautiful images that seem to be more than just a mere neo-surrealist tribute to Dali or O’Keefe.  Her paintings create a dialogue with her obvious predecessors and influences, but they retain an original, calming, eerie, and downright intelligent attitude to them.

More information on this exhibit can be found on LeMieux’s website.


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Coaster Show

"Origin" by Amy Guidry; Acrylic on cardstock; 4" tondo; $100; (c) Amy Guidry 2016
“Origin” by Amy Guidry; Acrylic on cardstock; 4″ tondo; SOLD; (c) Amy Guidry 2016

I was invited to create a piece for the upcoming Coaster Show at La Luz de Jesus Gallery in Los Angeles, California.  The title is Origin, and it is an acrylic on cardstock, 4″ tondo.  The show opens September 2nd, from 8-11pm and will remain up through October 2nd.  View the painting online here: http://laluzdejesus.com/the-4th-annual-coaster-show-mark-todd/origin/.


www.AmyGuidry.com

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Opening this weekend

"Sustain" by Amy Guidry; Acrylic on canvas; 12" x 12"; (c) Amy Guidry 2016
“Sustain” by Amy Guidry; Acrylic on canvas; 12″ x 12″; (c) Amy Guidry 2016

The opening for my 2-person exhibition with photographer Lee Deigaard will be this weekend at LeMieux Galleries in New Orleans.  The event takes place during White Linen Night on Saturday, August 6th, from 5:30-9:30pm.  Recent paintings from my In Our Veins series will be on exhibit in the Main Gallery through September 24th.


www.AmyGuidry.com

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Southern Vegan Artist: Party of One?

"Food or Pet? How Do You Decide?" by Amy Guidry; Acrylic on canvas; 40"w x 30"h; Sold; (c) Amy Guidry 2016
“Food or Pet? How Do You Decide?” by Amy Guidry; Acrylic on canvas; 40″w x 30″h; Sold; (c) Amy Guidry 2016

I’m a vegan artist living in “Sportsman’s Paradise.”  For those that don’t know, that would be Louisiana.  Not exactly a pleasant state nickname if you are a vegan.  Nevertheless, I’ve managed to live a vegan lifestyle here and have even made a niche for myself as an artist.  And I actually like living here… though I could do without the humidity.  So how is this possible, you may ask.

For starters, being a vegan, environmental artist is no harder than any other artist.  Art is supposed to make a statement, and it’s not going to be something everyone necessarily agrees with.  So the fact that my work is influenced by my personal beliefs, is not any different than any other artist creating work about what matters most to them.  And galleries are choosy about what they show regardless, so again, it doesn’t matter if you’re a vegan artist or not.

Louisiana is known for it’s food, unfortunately none of that involves tofu.  Yet.  So, yes, that is bothersome for me, but it doesn’t stop me from living here.  If anything, it just gives me more reason to keep doing what I do.  Add to that the BP oil spill, hurricanes, and wetland loss, I have even more reason to be here and speak up for our animals and our environment.

I have met some resistance, but I don’t know any vegan that hasn’t, so I wouldn’t say that’s exclusive to Louisiana.  Usually it comes from older family members that have no filter.  A lot of people seem to be coming around, while others tolerate it but don’t understand it.  I’ve been a vegan for 17 years now and have seen a definite shift in the mindset of the general population.  For starters, most people now know how to correctly pronounce vegan and might know someone that is.  A lot are open to at least trying vegan recipes.  (Everyone loves my dinner parties!)  And some are starting to become aware of the huge environmental impact that factory farming has on our planet.

Overall, I’ve had a very positive response to my art, both in and outside of Louisiana, which is promising for many reasons.  I would love to see more vegans here, but I’m sure a lot of people would say the same about where they live, too.  In the meantime, I’m going to keep doing what I do.  With every painting, I have another opportunity to reach out to the world, and inspire them to do more for animals and the planet.  And on that note, it’s time to get back to the studio.


www.AmyGuidry.com

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Now on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amy_guidry_artist/

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New Work

"Emanate" by Amy Guidry; Acrylic on canvas; 4" x 4"; SOLD; (c) Amy Guidry 2016
“Emanate” by Amy Guidry; Acrylic on canvas; 4″ x 4″; SOLD; (c) Amy Guidry 2016

I’ve just finished a new small painting from my In Our Veins series.  The title is Emanate and it is an acrylic on canvas, 4 inches by 4 inches.  The white deer and roses represent a connection to nature, their similar color palette further emphasizing that connection.

This one is currently on hold, but there are a few small paintings left:

http://amyguidry.com/bind.html

http://amyguidry.com/support.html


www.AmyGuidry.com

Get the latest updates via my monthly newsletter: www.amyguidry.com/contact.html

Now on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amy_guidry_artist/

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Opening Night

A few photos from opening night at Gallery 549 this past weekend.  The group exhibition includes my paintings Sustain, Ascension, and Vital.  The show is open now through May 6th at Gallery 549 in downtown Lafayette, LA.

"Installation view of "Vital," "Sustain," and "Ascension" by Amy Guidry; all acrylic on canvas; (c) Amy Guidry 2016
“Installation view of “Vital,” “Sustain,” and “Ascension” by Amy Guidry; all acrylic on canvas; (c) Amy Guidry 2016
Amy Guidry and her paintings "Vital," "Sustain," and "Ascension"; all acrylic on canvas; (c) Amy Guidry 2016
Amy Guidry and her paintings “Vital,” “Sustain,” and “Ascension”; all acrylic on canvas; (c) Amy Guidry 2016
Opening night at Gallery 549, Lafayette, LA
Opening night at Gallery 549, Lafayette, LA

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Laluzapalooza

I’m very excited to have 4 paintings accepted into the 2016 “Laluzapalooza” exhibit at La Luz de Jesus Gallery in Los Angeles, CA. The exhibit opens March 4th through the 27th, with an opening reception on March 4th from 8-11pm.  There will also be a closing reception on March 27th from 4-7pm.  More information can be found here: http://laluzdejesus.com/laluzapalooza-2016/#more-17657.

"Dissociate" by Amy Guidry; Acrylic on canvas; 12"w x 6"h; (c) Amy Guidry 2016
“Dissociate” by Amy Guidry; Acrylic on canvas; 12″w x 6″h; SOLD; (c) Amy Guidry 2016
"Vital" by Amy Guidry; Acrylic on canvas; 12"w x 6"h; (c) Amy Guidry 2016
“Vital” by Amy Guidry; Acrylic on canvas; 12″w x 6″h; SOLD; (c) Amy Guidry 2016
"Entwined" by Amy Guidry; Acrylic on canvas; 6"w x 4"h; (c) Amy Guidry 2016
“Entwined” by Amy Guidry; Acrylic on canvas; 6″w x 4″h; SOLD; (c) Amy Guidry 2016
"Anonymous" by Amy Guidry; Acrylic on canvas; 6" x 6"; SOLD; (c) Amy Guidry 2016
“Anonymous” by Amy Guidry; Acrylic on canvas; 6″ x 6″; SOLD; (c) Amy Guidry 2016

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Influence

"Shelter" by Amy Guidry; Acrylic on canvas; 10" x 10"; (c) Amy Guidry 2014
“Shelter” by Amy Guidry; Acrylic on canvas; 10″ x 10″; (c) Amy Guidry 2014

One of the most popular questions I get about my art is what influences me as an artist.  I could give a long list of disparate things, but really the biggest influence is nature.  From a young age, I was concerned about the welfare of the planet, as well as animal welfare.  Recycling and purchasing eco-friendly, cruelty-free products became a way of life for me.

Eventually a trip to the university library would lead to a significant change in my life.  I came across a book about the the conditions of slaughterhouses and the horrible consequences they have on not only animals, but the workers, and the planet as well.  Thinking this was a fluke, I looked for more information.  After a lot of additional research, I kept finding the same horrible accounts, over and over again.  I immediately became a vegetarian.  A few years later I decided to take it up a notch and become a vegan.

By the time I started painting professionally, my artwork was becoming more surreal but also heavily influenced by my concern for the environment and animal welfare.  I always used my art as a platform for raising awareness and asking questions, but I was looking to challenge myself even more both technically and conceptually.  My current body of work, “In Our Veins,” explores the connections between all life forms and the process of the life cycle.  This includes the interdependence of the human race to each other and to the rest of the animal kingdom, as well as the planet itself.

As my work reaches new audiences, there is a new opportunity for a dialogue between my art and the viewer.  From there, maybe it will inspire them, get them questioning, or thinking about how they can bring forth positive change in the world.

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www.AmyGuidry.com

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