Category Archives: Artistry

How 15 Minutes a Week Every Sunday Inspired My Faith and Art

After giving birth to my daughters, I didn’t have a lot of time to create, but that desire was written on my heart. I decided to start with 15 minutes every Sunday creating artwork inspired by my “one takeaway” from mass. This is how I got back into art and how I became a Catholic artist/illustrator. No more waiting for the so-called “perfect moment” (or until retirement) to pursue your passions!

What in your life does God want you to carve out 15 minutes a day for?

It can be a challenge finding the perfect time for those 15 minutes a day. Take a look at your current daily habits and really scrutinize how you spend your day. Do you waste time on Netflix or social media scrolling? You probably have more pockets of time than you think! If you’re most productive in the morning, you can schedule your 15 minutes before you begin to get ready for work. Part of a lunch break can be utilized for pleasure reading or taking a walk.

If you want to work on a bigger passion project, think about how you can tackle it in smaller pieces. What is the easiest first step that you can take? For example, 15 minutes of prepping ingredients for baking the day before can make the task more enjoyable the following day.

If an activity like knitting or journaling is what brings you joy, you can make up a “go-bag” with the supplies you need so they’re all in one place and ready-to-go. A go-bag activity can easily be tackled in between classes on campus, while you’re waiting in the pick-up line at your child’s school, or when you have a scheduled break at work.

Suggested Supplies:

Hand Book Travelogue Drawing Book 5.5×5.5” Square https://amzn.to/3EvrQOS
Reeves Gouache Paint Set https://amzn.to/3IlBGDV
Alvin Draft Matic 0.3mm Pencil https://amzn.to/3ILkCJ8
Trekell Synthetic Watercolor Paintbrush Set https://amzn.to/3TKBYsV
Studio Series Artist Tiles (these were the first things I used because they were what I had on hand) https://amzn.to/3Sk7eP3

(Note: Amy Heyse Art is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. She is also a participant with Blick Art Materials Affiliate Program.)

Full-length Interview with Elizabeth Zelasko

Last week, I shared an abridged version of my interview with Catholic artist and iconographer, Elizabeth Zelasko. Today, the full-length interview premieres on my YouTube channel. Feel free to use the YouTube chapters feature to jump ahead to specific questions!

Elizabeth is very knowledgeable and incredibly talented. She learned Russian Orthodox Iconography from the Prosopon School of Iconology and has created original works of art for Catholic publications and institutions. You can see more of her work at elizabethzelasko.com and follow her on Instagram.

Intro to Icons with Elizabeth Zelasko

My friend, Catholic artist and iconographer Elizabeth Zelasko, was generous enough to share her knowledge of iconography for my YouTube channel. I initially envisioned a short 10-15 minute interview geared towards K-12 students, but it ended up being so in-depth it was hard to edit!

I decided to compromise and release TWO videos. Today’s video is a “short and sweet” version of our interview and next week will premiere the full-length interview.

How to Draw and Paint the Chaste Heart of St. Joseph

Today I’m walking you through step-by-step how to draw and paint the Chaste Heart of St. Joseph. You can follow along with me on my YouTube channel to create your own Chaste Heart.

Suggested supplies for this project:

Strathmore Watercolor Paper https://amzn.to/3x12ODo

Arches Hot Press Watercolor Paper https://amzn.to/3RfGU7v

Crayola Washable Watercolors https://amzn.to/3x1X0JU

Winsor and Newton Watercolors https://amzn.to/3qi5MzK

Master’s Touch Watercolors https://www.hobbylobby.com/Art-Supplies/Painting-Supplies/Watercolor-Painting/Watercolor-Paint—48-Piece-Set/p/80881200

Winsor and Newton Colourless Masking Fluid https://amzn.to/3qi5ZTy

QoR Watercolor Iridescent Gold https://amzn.to/3x1jw5r

Trekell Synthetic Watercolor Paintbrush Set https://amzn.to/3TKBYsV

Scotch Blue Painter’s Tape https://amzn.to/3RLaHF3

(Note: Amy Heyse Art is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.)

How to Draw and Paint the Immaculate Heart of Mary

Today I’m walking you through step-by-step how to draw and paint the Immaculate Heart of Mary. You can follow along with me on my YouTube channel to create your own Immaculate Heart.

Suggested supplies for this project:

Strathmore Watercolor Paper https://amzn.to/3x12ODo

Arches Hot Press Watercolor Paper https://amzn.to/3RfGU7v

Crayola Washable Watercolors https://amzn.to/3x1X0JU

Winsor and Newton Watercolors https://amzn.to/3qi5MzK

Master’s Touch Watercolors https://www.hobbylobby.com/Art-Supplies/Painting-Supplies/Watercolor-Painting/Watercolor-Paint—48-Piece-Set/p/80881200

Winsor and Newton Colourless Masking Fluid https://amzn.to/3qi5ZTy

QoR Watercolor Iridescent Gold https://amzn.to/3x1jw5r

Trekell Synthetic Watercolor Paintbrush Set https://amzn.to/3TKBYsV

Scotch Blue Painter’s Tape https://amzn.to/3RLaHF3

Salt

How to Draw and Paint the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Today I’m walking you through step-by-step how to draw and paint the Sacred Heart of Jesus. You can follow along with me on my YouTube channel to create your own Sacred Heart.

Suggested supplies for this project:

Strathmore Watercolor Paper https://amzn.to/3x12ODo

Arches Hot Press Watercolor Paper https://amzn.to/3RfGU7v

Crayola Washable Watercolors https://amzn.to/3x1X0JU

Winsor and Newton Watercolors https://amzn.to/3qi5MzK

Master’s Touch Watercolors https://www.hobbylobby.com/Art-Supplies/Painting-Supplies/Watercolor-Painting/Watercolor-Paint—48-Piece-Set/p/80881200

QoR Watercolor Iridescent Gold https://amzn.to/3x1jw5r

Trekell Synthetic Watercolor Paintbrush Set https://amzn.to/3TKBYsV

Scotch Blue Painter’s Tape https://amzn.to/3RLaHF3

Salt

Illustration Opportunities

Growing up, “illustrating a children’s book” was on my dream list (probably right under “workin a Disney”). I loved the work of illustrators like Jan Brett, Chris Van Allsburg, Mercer Meyer, and more. I used to write and illustrate my own stories. In fall of 2020, I got asked by Our Sunday Visitor (OSV) to create the cover illustration for a new Catholic kids magazine called OSV Kids. The January cover was to depict a family inviting home a new baby, so I had my daughters model for photos with an American Girl doll wrapped up in a blanket.

I created the cover illustration with the help of my new iPad Pro and the app Procreate. It was a dream come true. Seeing my daughters holding a copy of the physical magazine bearing their image was definitely one of the coolest experiences I’ve had as an artist.

It was such a positive and rewarding experience, so I was extra excited when I was asked to create another illustration for the centerfold of the June 2021 issue (I’ll try to share that one later when it comes out) as well as the artwork for a new book on the Jesse Tree by Colleen Pressprich (which will also be published by Our Sunday Visitor).

The cover illustration started off as a line drawing that I shaded using dark brown tones. I tried to create all of the tonal values with this brown shade to make an “under painting.” On a separate layer, I added the colors for the girls on top. You can see what the different stages looked like in the above photo (cover image copyright Our Sunday Visitor).

Holy Family Sacred Hearts

I had been listening to a podcast last spring about Eucharistic miracles. In the interview, they talked about the scientific testing that has been used on Eucharistic hosts. Under a microscope, the host looks like the heart of someone who has died from severe trauma.

The Holy Family aren’t bland, emotionless statues. My purpose with this series is to highlight that they were people who experienced severe trauma and were emotional beings.

Prints and stickers of each heart can be found on my Etsy page.

Wedding Season

I’ve been busy creating a lot of portrait pieces to celebrate weddings and other occasions. I even had the opportunity to paint some custom cornhole boards for a reception.

I love it when I’m asked to create portraits whether it’s for a wedding, anniversary, or other occasion. I truly believe that art is a ministry, so being able to paint something beautiful to be shared in the home of a family is really a blessing.

Many of the podcasts I have been listening to lately have discussed the theme of beauty. It is so important to be surrounded by beauty because it shapes our souls and it shapes our culture. I’m so thankful that I get asked to be a part of the process

Mermaid Chair

In July, the Downtown Development Authority asked me to paint an Adirondack chair for Old Town Square. I decided to paint a mermaid because my daughter Holly loves them. The mermaid chair is a perfect addition to the splash pad in the square that lots of kids play in.

It was so much fun to paint and I’ve enjoyed seeing it out and about whenever I’m downtown. I feel so honored to have been asked to work on this project. Thanks for supporting up-and-coming local artists!