Hi! I’m Amy, the artist behind Winter Woods Studio! I’ve always loved art, colors, drawing and especially stories within art since I was little. I spent most of my childhood reading and exploring nature by the shores of Lake Superior. Even though I have always loved creating, I had a long and winding path to becoming an artist.

Growing up, even though I loved to draw, I was discouraged by a high school art teacher from pursuing art. I was basically told I didn’t have what it takes. So, when I graduated high school and went on to college, it was on a pre-med track. But, once there, I had to take electives. I took an art history class, followed by another. And then a studio art class in oil painting, where I was strongly encouraged to continue. That, combined with a C in chemistry, led me away from pre-med, and instead to a double major in Studio Art and Art History.

Three and a half years in, I got very sick. We now know it was Crohn’s disease, but it took years to get a diagnosis and I didn’t get to finish my degree. And somehow, I stopped making art. It was 19 years before I picked up a paintbrush again in 2019!

Me eating my pencil, er… I mean drawing, at a very young age!

My Sister and I reading!

I am the one in the super stylish pink track suit!

Now, art is my meditation, my calm place, my therapy. It’s the place I go to forget the world for a while and just create. Traditional art is my true love. I work in lots of different mediums, including watercolor, pen and ink, gouache, colored pencil, mixed media, collage, and acrylic paint. I am proficient in digital art, with Procreate and Photoshop being my preferred programs, and love to add a little sprinkling of digital magic to my traditional pieces!

I had a cozy day painting this watercolor illustration of Santa delivering gifts to the forest animals! Hope everyone is all tucked in to your cozy homes and having a nice night! * * * * * * #illustration #illustrationartists #illustrator #naturelove
A sweet little illustration to capture the joy of a new puppy! * * * * * #illustration #illustrationartists #illustrator #childrensbookillustration ##childrensbooks #cozy
The weather this morning made me think of the Edmund Fitzgerald. It sank before I was born but I grew up knowing people who lost someone on it... I came home and painted this today as a sort of tribute. The Edmund Fitzgerald went down on November 10t
I didn't intend to participate in #folktaleweek2024, and this may be the only prompt I do. But I was drawing tonight and somehow I drew the prompt for the first day- "mist." I have no story to go with it and no characters planned, but I tho
"New Friends" a fun illustration full of sparkles and sunshine on a gloomy day! * * * * * * #childrensbookillustration #illustration #illustrationartists #illustrator #naturelover #outdoors #childrensbook
A little character doodle just for fun! * * * * * * #illustration #childrensbookillustration #childrensbooks #instaillustration #characterillustration
It's been snowing on and off this morning and it's starting to feel like winter! Another little Christmasy sketch in my sketchbook! Gouache, colored pencil, and oil pastel! #cozy #winter #christmasillustration #christmas #gouache #gouachepainting #c
What do you mean it's too early for Christmas??? Fun little oil pastel sketch in my sketchbook. * * * * * * #instaillustration #illustration #christmasillustration #winter #winterwonderland #childrensbookillustration #childrensbooks
New original 12 x 12 inch painting by me! "Firefly Dance"- acrylic on hardbord panel. $475. My sh0p is in my b!0. I woke up yesterday wanting to paint and this is what came out. No planning, no references. I had a lot of fun! * * * * * * *
My first real blog post is up on my blog now! It's exciting but a little scary for me for some reason! :) Anyway, if you feel like checking it out, it's in my story and my bio! I feel like it's kind of a new era for me! Another step forward to creati
Working late in on illustration project! * * * * * #illustration #illustrationartists #childrensbookillustrator #childrensbookillustration

I am inspired by light, color, animals, family, love, cozy vibes, a nostalgic feel, spooky things, mysteries, nature, folktales, magic, and anything sparkly! I like to create engaging characters and a lush world to sink in to, one far away from the seriousness and darkness that seem to permeate our present times.

I currently create out of a small, four-season porch tucked deep in the snowy Northwoods! We have snow on the ground for six months of the year, and our average snowfall each season is 180 inches! When I am not working, I love to cook and bake, hike, snowshoe, and cross country ski, knit, and do lots of reading! My most precious times are spent with my family; my two boys, my husband, our big yellow lab and our tiny sweet ferret!

For illustration enquiries please contact me at winterwoodsstudios@gmail.com.

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Contact me!

Do you have a comment or suggestion you’d like to share? Email me at: winterwoodsstudios@gmail.com

To contact me about commission work, free-lance work, or illustration jobs, email me at: winterwoodsstudios@gmail.com

For press inquiries, email us at winterwoodsstudios@gmail.com.

Interested in becoming a sponsor? Email us at winterwoodsstudios@gmail.com.