Art: The Essential Element of My Life

Watercolor Academy Competition Amy Schick

From early childhood, I was deeply passionate about art, convinced that a life dedicated to artistic pursuits—as a painter, musician, writer, dancer, or actor—was the only path worth following. My mother was a visual artist, and my father, though not a musician himself, had a profound love for music and introduced me to jazz, classical symphonies, and opera.

At the age of two, my mother and I spent countless hours with my favorite book, a collection of impressionist paintings. I was determined to memorize the names of the painters and the titles of their works. Growing up in New York City, I had the privilege of experiencing various art forms firsthand by visiting theaters, museums, and concert halls, which nurtured my lifelong passion for the arts.

At three, my mother took me to see the Joffrey Ballet perform "The Nutcracker Suite." I was captivated by the music's beauty and the costumes and scenery's vibrant colors, which inspired me to start ballet lessons shortly after. Throughout my childhood, I participated in classes for dance, singing, music theory, acting, drawing, and painting. Many of these classes were part of a fine arts program at Carnegie Hall, funded by the city for children from low-income households.

I remember visiting a friend at the Art Students League while she studied life drawing. I was instantly captivated by the focus and beauty of the students' work. At 15, I worked during the summer and saved enough to attend my first life drawing classes in the fall.

After high school, I attended the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City, graduating with a degree in Fashion Design. While working in the fashion industry, I continued to take voice and dance lessons. After two years, I left fashion to pursue a professional singing career, spending seven years performing jazz in clubs around the city.

Eventually, I returned to school to study Waldorf Education, an educational system where art plays a central role. My intention was to become a teacher for young children. During my studies, I was introduced to Eurythmy, an art of movement that allowed me to combine my passions for dance, music, and color. I embarked on four and a half years of training to become a Eurythmy teacher for children from grades K-8 and adults, a profession I have pursued for the past 30 years.

During these passing decades, I continued to paint with watercolor. Although I have taken several classes with excellent teachers, I am largely self-taught. Now semi-retired, I focus on painting again, eager to deepen my understanding of color, composition, and the watercolor medium. Structured courses taught by professional artists, such as those offered through the Watercolor Academy, would significantly enrich my artistic journey and elevate my painting skills.

After many years of guiding children and adults, I am ready to turn inward in my creative work, dedicating myself to quiet, steady self-expression. Having access to a broader range of artistic tools and techniques would be an invaluable gift, one for which I would be immensely grateful.

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