Meet Amy Cummins

Today we’d like to introduce you to Amy Cummins.

We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
I have always had an eye for beauty. I enjoyed decorating my room growing up, I was a makeup artist, dancer and I have painted shabby chic on furniture but I have never thought that I was talented enough to become a commissioned artist. The artwork that I understood was realism. It was obvious what I was looking at without having to use much of my imagination. Even though I did not understand a lot of what I would be looking at, I enjoyed the journey of the artist’s works on canvas.

Eventually, my life took a turn in a completely different direction from wandering aimlessly through life trying to figure out who I was or what I wanted to be when I “grow up”. I just woke up one day and said I wanted to be for others what I needed for myself, so I became a police officer at 26. Throughout my early and teen years, I experienced and survived a great deal of trauma. I have not only survived Rape and molestation but I now thrive. I have learned to be brave in my actions and I am now a strong advocate for those that have been in my same shoes.

My current position at my police department is the Victim Service Coordinator, which allows me to be that person that will show them how to find their voice again. I have received numerous awards and accolades through my 20-year career. I am a leader in my community, I do a great deal of volunteer work and I have built a reputation of being a very transparent, nonjudgmental listening ear with solid advice. I am currently writing a book about my trauma and how I was able to get myself to this point in my life. I have put myself through school receiving a Bachelors of Science in Psychology, which helps me to further understand the human psyche. A few years went by and I became unsettled in my life and felt the desire to go back to school for a Masters Degree in Counseling Psychology. This would allow me to begin a second career as a sexual assault counselor. I did go back to school making A’s, but at the beginning of class 7, I just came to an abrupt stop and said I can’t do this anymore. The overwhelming desire and drive to create art took over. I can not say where it came from and I don’t even remember the first painting I did but it literally hit me like a ton of bricks. My family and friends didn’t quite understand my reasoning but they knew that I am a very determined person and when I want something bad enough, there is no changing my mind. I didn’t understand what was happening but I knew God was guiding me.

I am a self-taught artist and I get my inspiration from the world around me and what I am feeling inside. I surround myself with people that know more and are more talented than I am to be able to soak up as much knowledge and mentoring as I possibly can. I have been very successful with my art business because I don’t believe I am selling art…I am selling my emotions, my soul, my laughter, my time, my God-given talent, my passion. Simply put….a story. I am a very spiritual being that is empathetic to all the energy that surrounds me.

Most of my commissions have come through my wonderful Facebook friends and word of mouth. I was even discovered, so to speak, and was asked to be a featured artist in the Art Machine Gallery located inside the Silos Gallery at Sawyer Yards in the Heights of Houston. I have won art contests, appeared in the Hardy and Nance Gallery and I am stretching my art into some jewelry making, beautiful scarves, note cards and just about anything that I can wrap my mind around to be able to share my art with others.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The only real obstacles that I face is procrastination and not knowing all the tricks of the trade. I understand the entrepreneurship of an art business because I could sell sand in the desert but getting stuck or putting off until tomorrow is something I work on daily. Being that I am a self-taught artist, there is so much for me to learn. What is the best brand of paint, brush, and canvas. Learning the terms used in the art world has been a process. Twenty years as a police officer and having our own language per se can be difficult trying to lighten the tone. I am a type A personality as well as being very creative and artistic, so it does give me somewhat of an advantage. I am blessed to be a people person because if I was not, I believe that I would not be very successful in the arts. It truly is about making connections with people that is deeper than face value.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Amy Cummins Fine Art – what should we know?
At this point in my art business, I am strictly social media and word of mouth because I work full time as an officer and part-time working my art. You can find me on Facebook under Amy Cummins Fine Art and I share some on Instagram as well. I love to work on large canvas because I love to use different types of medium to create texture and I think big. I think that it gives my work depth and makes it come to life. I am sold on acrylic because I have ADD and I do not want to have a lot of drying time before I can continue on with the piece I am working on. I am very proud of the fact that in less than a year ago I had never picked up a paintbrush but I am now a commissioned artist, in a beautiful gallery, winning art contests, making wonderful friends and having a strong desire to keep pushing for more.

I believe that what sets me and my art apart from the rest is that it started from divine intervention. I use my art to help heal others from their trauma. I allow people to see that even though there may be others with so many more years of knowledge in something does not make them any less talented or worthy than those others. Sharing my art shows that I have the courage to stand alongside so many other talented artists and believe that I am enough just as I am.

Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
The most important quality or characteristics that I feel is most important to my success is my ability to show others that they too can do great things. I love to empower others to reach for the stars in whatever it is they are trying to do. There is so much ugly in the world and if my art can bring some joy or peace and tranquility to someone, then I have done my job. I believe that allowing others to be themselves and that in itself is good enough to be able to do anything their heart desires.

Contact Info:

• Phone: 2817399516
• Email: acummins33@gmail.com
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/amycumminsfineart

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