Q: What is your full name and do you have any nicknames that you go by as an artist?

A: Amy Jo Wisehart, and nope, just Amy Jo!

Q: How old are you and are you currently, planning to, or have attended art school?

A: I am 22 years old, about to turn 23 in May. I am currently attending school at a University…It’s not an art school but I am planning to eventually get my Masters in Fine Arts.

Q: Where were you raised and does this play a role in your artwork?

A: I was raised in the Midwest. I’m sure it did have a role with my artwork. The schooling systems in Missouri are really great with having art in school from the moment you are in it. Kindergarten throughout my senior year I always had an art class. The Midwest isn’t really an “artsy fartsy” type of place though. Haha.

Q: Who and what inspires your art? Besides the usual answer such as family and life?

A: Everything. Anything can be used as inspiration, you just have to feel it.

Q: What is the first thing that pops in your head when you wake up in the morning?

A: “I gotta pee.”

Q: When was the first time you remember drawing something as a child, and, what was it?

A: I remember painting on rocks, probably shortly after I would watch Bob Ross in the morning.

Q: How would you describe your art?

A: Different?

Q: When you encounter an artistic slump; how do you come out of it?

A: Lots of music, looking up photos of paintings or reading. Inspiration won’t just hit you in the face.

Q: If you would send out a message in a bottle for the next generation of artists to read, what would it say?

A: Search for inspiration.

Q: What art tools can’t you live without and why?

A: Well, my main art tool is my camera. But, art as in paintings I can’t live without “Yes!” canvas. It’s the best.

Q: What non-art items can’t you live without?

A: As lame as this might sound, I can’t live without my cell phone. When there are times I just can’t handle being alone, my cell phone allows me to get in touch with people that will always be there for me, but they live to far away to just swing by their house.

Q: How personal do you get in your artwork?

A: Very very personal. Every painting I do is some string of my imagination or something that has happened to me.

Q: What is your biggest motivation as an artist? This is different from inspiration, what I’m asking is what makes you pick up that brush, pencil, pen ect…?

A: My motivation is to create something for other people to relate to.

Q: What is your favorite movie and book?

A: Movie: Breakfast at Tiffany’s

Book: Kelly Link- Stranger Things Happen

Q: What are you listening to on your iPod right now, and does music play a role in your art?

A: Band of Horses was just on.

Music plays a very huge role in my art. Sometimes I take lyrics from songs and create an image to what I think the musician was trying to portray.

Q: How do you feel when you are working on an art piece in terms or feelings, emotions?

A: A lot of emotion goes into my paintings, some more than others, but all in all it’s a very emotional thing.

Q: Besides your art; are there any hobbies that you like to indulge inn?

A: I think my photography is my main “art”, but I would consider it to be a hobby as well. I also have a hobby of being in the city of New Orleans. Haha.

Q: Is social media(blogs, myspace, facebook) and the internet in your words good for the art world. And for you as an artist?

A: Yes, it’s only bad if the artist chooses to put a negative image out for him/herself. Social networking is a great thing for artists. It takes away the limitations of just being known in one area. People from all over the world have seen my artwork due to blogs, and that’s crazy to me. (But awesome.)

Q: There is an big issue with people posting art and photographs on social networking sites (including tumblr ) without giving credit to the artist. What are you thoughts on this and has it ever happened to you?

A: I don’t think it has happened to me yet, oh well I guess. I mean, it would definitely piss me off. But as long as someone isn’t claiming it as their own. I wish people would just take the time and give credit though.

Q: Where could people be able to find your art?

A: amyjowisehart.tumblr.com , amyjophotography.tumblr.com , amyjowisehart.com , myspace.com/amyjophotography

Q: Any advice to give to other artists out there?

A: Be open to constructive criticism, don’t get too sensitive about it.

Practice at things,(especially basics) it really does help. Do things over and over.

Q: Is there anything else you’ll like to say?

A: Thanks for everyone who has ever supported my art and photography!! I really appreciate it!!