Amelia Gutierrez
General Roca, Argentina
Amelia Gutierrez was born and raised in the Argentinian Patagonia, and her first painting teacher was her father who encouraged her to make painting a part of her life. In Buenos Aires she trained in the workshops of Bernardo Kehoe, Luis Felipe Noé and Julio Lavallén. During this stage she focused on the study of live models and portraits. She also trained as a designer and illustrator at the University of Buenos Aires, and worked for various clients.
After several years working as a graphic designer and commercial illustrator, she decided to pursue an artistic career seriously, following David Hockney’s advice to turn to nature in a time of hardship.
Artist Interview
Q: Can you share how your artistic journey began? What inspired you to start creating, and how has that initial spark evolved over time?
A: My grandfather and my father painted as a hobby, so I grew up among art books and art supplies. We didn't own a TV, so my brother, who is now a graphic designer, and myself had to get creative and resorted to drawing and painting from an early age. My father loved sports that bring you close to nature. He used to fly gliders, jump with parachutes, sail on sailboats and kayaks, scuba dive, and so on. He's a doctor, a pediatrician, but he enjoyed all those activities on vacations. We camped by the beach, or by a lake or stream, and spent days and weeks living very close to nature. We also went frequently on hikes right where we lived, in the middle of the Patagonian desert. Here the landscape looks very flat and dry and maybe uninteresting at first sight, but it is in fact full of beauty if you really look.
I went to college in Buenos Aires, the capital city of my country. It is a beautiful, ebullient city, where the creative mind can really thrive. There I studied under wonderful art teachers and created very colorful and vibrant artworks, that reflected my impressions of the life in the big city. Recently, I moved back to Patagonia, married my high school sweetheart, and I'm raising my family doing my best to pass to my children my love and reverence for art and nature.
Q: What have been some of the most significant moments or challenges in your journey as an artist?
A: My most significant challenge has been deciding when to start being a "real" artist. David Hockney's influence really helped me say to myself "this is when"
Q: If you could offer one piece of advice to other creatives pursuing a career in visual arts, what would it be?
A: Just do it. Work hard, show your work, spot the places that need more work, repeat. Trust.