©Amy Zager 2007-2010 All human and animal rights carefully reserved and preserved.
Amy Zager
Fine Art & Illustration
NEWS UPDATES
April 6, 2010
I will be showing "Mohawk" at the Chicago Artist Coalition's 2010 Art Open! Join me on Saturday, April 24th at the River East Arts Center between 12-4pm for opening day! All details can be found at the Art Open website _ http://caconline.org/art-openHope to see you there!
I currently have work on display at The Bad Apple in Chicago! Stop in any day after 4pm at 4300 N Lincoln Ave., Chicago, IL. Be sure to check out their cider selection! All paintings on display are for sale, so if you're itching to see my work in the flesh, drop on in and check it out.
As always, I'm happy to accept commissioned work in a variety of sizes and mediums, including mural work.
Prints are available at special request, just get in touch and we'll work something out.
Current Work
2010 Oil on Panel 24 x 14"
2009 Oil on Panel 8 x 10"
2010 Oil on Paper 10 x 14" on 12 x 16" paper
2010 Oil on Canvas 22 x 22"
2010 Oil on Canvas (1) 4 x 6", (3) 6 x 18"
2009 Oil on Canvas Each 6 x 18"
New
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2009 Oil on Canvas 48 x 30"
2009 Oil on Panel 3 x 5"
2010 Oil on Paper 4 x 6"
2008 Oil on Canvas 24 x 36" On display at The Bad Apple 4300 North Lincoln Avenue Chicago, IL
2009 Oil on Panel 8x10" $175 SOLD
2009 Oil on Panel 9x12" $250 On display at The Bad Apple 4300 North Lincoln Avenue Chicago, IL
2009 Oil on Panel 9 x 12" $160
2008 Oil on Canvas 30 x 48 in.
2008 Oil on Paper 4x6" $60 SOLD
2008 Oil on Paper 4x6" $30 SOLD
2009 Oil on Panel 12 x 16" $240 On display at The Bad Apple 4300 North Lincoln Avenue Chicago, IL
2008 Oil on Canvas 24 x 36" $1250 SOLD
2009 Oil on Panel 12 x 16" $265
2008 Oil on Canvas 12 x 24" $200
2009 Oil on Panel 12 x 16" $180 SOLD
2009 Oil on Canvas 36x 60" $1200 SOLD
(Click to enlarge)
Commissions & Illustration
2007 Colored Pencil on Cold Press Paper 8x10" Commissioned to produce a colored pencil portrait based off client‘s photograph.
2006 Charcoal on Hot Press Paper 18x24
2007 Oil on Canvas 22x28"
2006 Oil on Panel 11 x 14 in
2009 Oil on Panel 12 x 16"
2009 Oil on Canvas 16 x 20"
2010 Oil on Panel 11 x 14 in $250
2007 Pen and Ink on Cold Press Paper 14x20" Commissioned photo-based group portrait in pen and ink.
2008 Charcoal on Hot Press Paper 19x25" Illustration based on character 'Death' from Neil Gaiman's 'Sandman' graphic novel series.
2005 Acrylic, Collage on Canvas 12x12" I created this mixed media piece to honor the life of my high school art teacher, Deborah Rohr. She passed away six months after I graduated, and had a profound influence on my life, both as an artist and as a person.
2006 Pen and Ink on Paper 9x12" Collaborated with 8-person team developing a proposal for horror movie-themed addition to JPM Productions‘ ‘Fright Fest’ event at Six Flags Great America. Rendered conceptual illustrations of proposed characters, including costume and makeup details. Produced finished handbook using Adobe Photoshop and Adobe InDesign to accompany the proposal during a formal presentation. Project was approved by JPM and put into production at Six Flags Great America.
2009 Oil on Panel 9 x 12"
2009 Oil on Paper 16 x 20"
Like what you see? I'm currently accepting commissions.
My artistic services include creating classical portraits, figurative work, pet portraits, still life paintings,
conceptual or character design, decorative art, paintings or drawings from photographs, illustration,
postcard art, large scale and mural work, and more. Any questions, just ask!
Work for Sale
Please Note:
Price includes insurance and standard shipping throughout the United States.
Feel free to contact me regarding additional shipping methods.
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Artist Statement
I approach a painting as both a physical object of surface and media as well as a window into a space. My process begins with an active hunt for inspiration. I utilize landscapes, models, and objects, seeking out rich colors and a strong contrast of light and shadow. My paintings begin as a sketch where I lay out the values of light and dark in the composition. From there, I vary between opaque layers and glazes, working towards a natural balance of unity and contrast between the subject and the space.
The visual vocabulary in my work consists of conventional, yet timeless, images. I seek to harness the human form for its unsurpassed conveyance of human emotion, and tap into the breadth historic symbolism of fruit as still life. I utilize my traditional, academic training to present the temperament and life of my subjects through believable features and details. I encourage an understanding with the viewer that my intent is not to mimic photorealism, but rather to allow a glimpse of the subject as I see it in my mind-eye, and join me in contemplating the sensuality and mystery displayed upon the canvas.
My interest in the space around an object is equal to that of rendering the object itself. I place subjects in unexpected, isolated locations where the vastness of the space pushes the boundaries of composition in traditional art. I create a reliquary, housing the object as an icon to invite the viewer to read and relate to the emotionally charged subject on a deeply personal level. These vacant areas suggest the feeling of absence within the work, evoking a visual tension. I nudge the viewer towards a sense of peaceful acceptance with this emptiness and isolation. As the viewer comes to terms with the effects of the negative space, the rhythmic, soft brushstrokes, color, and the movement of light and shadow throughout tie the subject to its place within the scene. The result is a transcendental tranquility captured by the evocation of visceral sentiment and the purity of shadows and solitude.
Artist Biography
Amy Zager developed a love of art at a very, very young age. Before she could walk, or even hold an oversized Crayola marker, her mother gave her globs of brightly colored Play-Doh, which she mashed around with glee. When she was able to, she graduated to crayons, markers, colored pencils, and finally, to paint. Amy's family was always extremely supportive of her interests, sending her to piano lessons and various art classes at the age of 4. She grew up in the Chicago suburbs and excelled at nearly everything she pursued, winning awards in gradeschool for her artwork and writing, and earned many gold medals in piano competitions.
It wasn't until her teenage years at Warren Township High School that Amy determined that she was destined to study art. She developed a very close relationship with her art instructor, Deborah Rohr, and spent nearly all her free time in the studio, absorbing lessons in art theory and history.
She graduated from highschool in 2005 and immediately moved to downtown Chicago to study at The American Academy of Art, where she had been awarded a talent scholarship. Her studies there were based in traditional media and heavily focused on technical accuracy. Figure drawing classes were always a favorite of hers, and she identified a variety of artistic influences ranging from Caravaggio to Dali. When it came time to declare a major, the decision to focus in oil painting came easily. Oil paint carries a history of being the medium of choice for many admirable artists and lends itself to a vast array of techniques, not to mention being an extremely forgiving material. Academic studies exposed her to a variety of techniques used by the masters and built an arsenal of technical approaches to painting. During her senior year she developed a body of original works, defining her artistic vision as a blend of realism and careful observation along with emotionally suggestive, surreal spaces.
Amy graduated with honors in 2009 and is currently living and working in Chicago, selling paintings and taking commissions for fine art, illustrations, and murals. When she isn't splashing paint around in her studio, she enjoys hanging out with her pet rats, working out, eating tons of sushi, and getting sweaty at rock n roll concerts.
You can contact me using the form below
