Name: Amery Bohling
Age: 42
Title: Artist and Gallery Owner at Amery Bohling Fine Art, Scottsdale
Married/Single: Single
Kids: none
City you live in: Phoenix, Arizona
A typical day in my life includes…
I start with coffee and a bagel, and then head to the studio. Painting until five. I catch some yoga with my sister, followed by dinner. Then I crash in front Netflix.
I was born…
in Lincoln, Nebraska.
My favorite thing about Arizona…
definitely the Grand Canyon, it inspires most of my work. It is the place I’m most happy. I also love the desert vibes and no winter weather.
I’m listening to…
I make my own mixes on Spotify. They are set to fit whatever painting I am working on. Sometimes classical, sometimes alternative. It might be some Jose Gonzales mixed with Father John Misty.
My family…
we are a close-knit family and are very supportive of each other. My parents were entrepreneurs. As a result, my sister and I were able to launch our own careers from their example. In my own instance, they have helped me with the gallery’s back office allowing me to spend more time painting.
If I could have dinner with anyone, it would be…
I would love to have dinner with Thomas Moran, so I could pick his brain about how he created his works of the canyon, small and large. And of course, where his favorite spots were.
One thing I cannot live without…
my back up drive. It is my most valuable possession. It has all my reference photos. They represent a lifetime of travels and favorite locations. It also has historical record of the work I have done. It’s easier to sell a painting when you know you have an image saved to remind you of what you have done.
When I was younger, I wanted to be…
Indiana Jones. Then I realized it wasn’t the right path for me. I was always on the artists’ path, I just didn’t know it.
I’m inspired by…
artists who work so hard for their profession. For example, they trade painting for gas, or sleep in cars and hike long distances to find the perfect painting spot. It motivates you to work harder and not get hung up on the little things.
The one person who motivates me is…
so much about the artist profession is about being self-motivated. No one else is going to tell you to get out and paint, update your website, ask magazines for articles, or enter shows. You have to find it within your-self to do those things.
If I could change anything in the world, it would be…
one of the hardest things about being a landscape artist is finding unspoiled views. Which is why national parks are so important. We need to be mindful our urban sprawl, so it does not invade the natural beauty of nature.
The perfect day would be…
after starting the day with coffee, I would head out and paint with my friends at the Canyon. It would mean painting all day followed by dinner at El Tovar. We are a motley crew and who keep each other in stitches all day long.
My first job was…
lifeguard and swim instructor. I learned to develop a curriculum and that I was good at teaching…and I have always liked to be outdoors.
My favorite escape…
spending a weekend at Hotel San Cristobal in Todos Santos, Mexico.
My life…
is colorful and interesting, perhaps, literally, because I do like wearing color. I’ve been fortunate to have gone many places and meet many fascinating people who make each day richer. There is still plenty I want to do and accomplish. But I am off to a good start.
I’m currently working on…
a painting that involves a mule train coming up from phantom ranch on the South Kaibab Trail The drawing is tricky because it involves numerous figures and you have to be mindful of scale and perspective.
Always…
pay your bills and answer your mom’s phone calls. Otherwise she will think you’ve fallen into the canyon.
Never…
wear bright colors when you are painting outside. It will bounce colorful reflected light all over your painting and drive you nuts.
Favorite Quote…
“You don’t make mistakes, just happy little accidents “ – Bob Ross.
Biggest Dream…
to be in a major Western Art Exhibition.
My Pet Peeve(s)…
when you accidentally buy the left -handed palette knife and you are a right-handed person.
