About the Art

  About the Artist
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I work primarily in acrylic painting because of its flexibility and rich color range.  I enjoy painting with colors that are very intense and alive.   In all of my paintings, I try to give the viewer the feeling that they could walk right into the scene represented.  In order to accomplish this sense of viewer involvement, many of my paintings incorporate various painting surfaces, added textures and dimensions, and other mixed media techniques.  I often use various acrylic mediums such as modeling paste, ceramic stucco, blended fibers, resin sands, and heavy acrylic medium to add an extra dimension and realness to the scene.  I usually try to build up the objects in the foreground using these mediums and techniques to help the painting come alive. 

Because I paint realistically, viewers are often caught by surprise by the dimensionality of the paintings, and they enjoy becoming a part of the discovery process.  I feel this helps bring people into the artistic process and gives them a sense of fun and excitement about the artwork.
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Amy Huisinga is a self-taught award-winning artist living in Chicago.  She was raised in Monticello, Illinois and attended the University of Illinois, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting.  After spending five years as a CPA in the public accounting field, Amy moved to Chicago to pursue an art career.      

Amy's work has been exhibited in numerous shows throughout the Midwest and has won many top awards.  Her work is held in various private collections as well as corporations, including Merrill Lynch, Bell's Brewery, and Tribune Company.  Amy is represented by The Leigh Gallery in Chicago, Illinois and Prairie Fire Glass Gallery in Monticello, Illinois.  Other than making and experiencing artwork, Amy has a passion for traveling and adventure.  She also enjoys music and concerts, bicycling and golf, and is an AVID Illini fan.

Awards and Honors

  • 2013 - 2nd Place in 2-Dimensional  - Lakefront Art Festival - Michigan City, IN
  • 2010 - Merit Award for Painting - Gold Coast Art Fair - Chicago, IL
  • 2010 - Merit Award for Painting - Cantigny Fine Art Festival - Wheaton, IL
  • 2009 - Best of Painting Category - Cantigny Fine Art Festival - Wheaton, IL  
  • 2009 - Merit Award for Painting - Buffalo Grove Invitational Fine Art Festival - Buffalo Grove, IL
  • 2007 - Featured Guest on Episode of WNIT-TV's Open Studio which aired January 4, 2007 in the Michiana viewing area
  • 2004 - Merit Award for Painting - Glenview Fine Arts Festival - Glenview, IL
  • 2003 - Featured in Public Service Announcement on WGN-TV for Chicago Artists' Month
  • 2002 - 2nd Place in Acrylics/Oils - A Park Full of Art - Griffith, IN
  • 2001 - Merit Award for Painting - West End Art Festival - LaGrange, IL
  • 2001 - 1st Place in Acrylics/Oils - A Park Full of Art - Griffith, IN
  • 1998 - Best of Painting Category - Northwest Area Arts Council Acres of Art - Crystal Lake, IL
  • 1998 - 3rd Place Overall Painting - Ohio River Arts Festival - Evansville, IN