A little over 2 1/2 years ago, I started working as an art instructor at Pinot’s Palette in Old Town Fort Collins. Having just come from a job working as a middle school art teacher in Greeley, it was a nice change of pace. It provided me an opportunity to continue teaching, but to people who wanted to learn in a relaxed and fun environment.

Over the years, I have created some original paintings for both our Fort Collins location as well as for the franchise painting master library. These master library paintings can be taught at any of the Pinot’s Palette locations across the US.

Examples of some of the Pinot’s Palette paintings I have created for the franchise over the years.

On Friday, March 6 from 6-8pm, I will be working our First Friday open studio/wine tasting. You can also stop by and meet the artist. I’ll be selling prints and jewelry of my personal artwork (these items are also currently available in my Etsy shop).

Here’s the nice blog post work wrote about me:

AMY HEYSE is our featured Artist for March. Amy has been with Pinot’s Palette since opening in 2012.  She has developed some beautiful paintings for us!

Amy will have her own personal art on display in Pinot’s Palette Monet’s Garden Room on First Friday March 6th from 6 until 8 pm. Amy has a BFA in Drawing and a BA in Art Education from CSU.  In August she and her husband Kevin were blessed with a new baby girl.

Amy loves to introduce people to painting and get an understanding of what it’s like to be an artist.  “Our customers get an opportunity to tap into a part of their brain that they don’t regularly use and they often surprise themselves throughout the process.”

The most challenging thing about working at Pinot’s Palette is convincing customers that they did a good job and also finding time for her own artwork – especially with a new baby!  Amy works in watercolor and gouache – they are so experimental yet challenging to manipulate.

Being an artist takes a lot of work – like all things. It takes a lot of practice to hone your skills.  Making art of personal significance to you, but that also connects with someone else is the greatest reward.  The challenge is overcoming doubt.

Amy has three websites that display her work.  Check them out – and come in to one of her classes at Pinot’s – she is a wonderfully talented teacher and artist.  (And a great Mom!)