[NoHo Arts District, CA] – The NoHo Arts District is just one-square mile but what we do in this one-square-mile makes us a vibrant and creative neighborhood. If you’ve taken a stroll on Magnolia Blvd. near the city parking lot you will have seen artist Amy Smith’s mural.
The NoHo motto really should be, “NoHo is only as great as its people.” Without our dancers, actors, singers, musicians, visual artists and creative folks, we wouldn’t be an arts district.
So, we’ve asked Amy Smith some questions to get to know her better!
What’s your art training/background?
I’m a self-taught artist but my father is an artist and sculptor and my grandmother embodied everything that is creative from sewing to oil painting. It’s always been an interest to me and I started to pursue art more seriously after moving to Los Angeles.
Why did you gravitate toward stencil and collage?
I was trying out different styles and experimenting with different mediums. I had gone to a portfolio review held by L.Croskey co-owner of Thinkspace Gallery who now holds them at Art Bar in Mar Vista. He was able to see something interesting in one of my experiments and urged me to continue to explore. That style included very basic stencil process and newspaper.
How did you start with creating murals?
I started making murals in 2018 when a gallery I was with Gabba Gallery was doing community murals around the gallery in the neighborhood and I was given a pony wall at a parking lot that was small and long. I made a repeating ballerina that was reminiscent of paper dolls connected by a hand that filled the space. That was my first mural.
How did the Magnolia mural come about?
There was an art call design submission for the North Hollywood mural. I live in the neighborhood and it’s been really important to me to find opportunities to paint and create artistic opportunities where I live. I submitted for it and it was the design that was voted on.
Your work has been seen on TV and film, how did you make that happen?
Yes, I have had many original paintings rented for tv and film projects. I work with a gallery that rents out contemporary and street art. In addition, I have worked in TV and film myself in the art department for 10 years until 2019 so I was knowledgeable about this process and have gotten opportunities that way as well.
Do you have a favorite piece on canvas? A favorite mural?
I just finished one of my favorite pieces in my newest collection. It was just featured at Saatchi’s The Other Art Fair at the Barker Hanger in Santa Monica. It’s called “Something to Say.” My favorite mural is the one for North Hollywood because it’s so vibrant and I got to use my flowers I’ve been obsessed witih drawing. Also, it’s my first mural with any city so I think that’s a real honor.
What suggestions would you give girls who want to become artists?
Don’t give in to perfectionism. Nobody knows what they’re doing so just do the work and keep going. Find community and people who support you. Don’t be afraid to fail. Failure is just a part of learning.
What’s coming up for you?
I’m working on a few proposals for community art projects and will have my art featured on Artsy through my gallery very soon. I’ll be having a holiday sale on my work in December to celebrate my birthday and also make room for new work in the new year.
What do you like about living in North Hollywood?
I love that it’s walkable. I like having nature and the parks so close by.
What would you like to see more of in NoHo?
I’d like to see more visual art spaces and an art center focused on teaching kids and adults art, craft, and technology.