artbyamberwilliams

A ridiculous number of hours, summed up in two minutes and thirteen seconds, recorded in mostly bad light... Highway to the Sky, 12" x 36" (2023) Original art by: Amber Williams Original music by: Jeff Tady Historically, I have created art at the foot of my basement steps, on the floor in front the TV, leaned up against a water meter alcove, in my mother's living room (that one actually had great light, though brief), tucked behind my couch, and then by my computer in a dark dining room. Anyway, I have recently moved my studio upstairs in the Treehouse of Magnificent Light and Sound. Here's hoping future process videos will be of better quality. Lots of love. ❤️

Highway to the Sky 01 (2023), 12" x 36" This collage was inspired by a trip to Colorado in summer, 2023. As we drove from Buena Vista to or next stay in Estes Park, we chose what appeared to be the most scenic route, and indeed it was. I'll be honest that I did not realize that our route would require an entrance fee to Rocky Mountain National Park, but at that point, there was no turning back. It was worth it. We ascended U.S. Route 34, also known at Trail Ridge Road or the Highway to the Sky. I long to return, but until then, there are more inspired collages in progress. This collage utilizes several layers of polycrylic ink transfer and also traditional collage methods. Collage material is mounds of security envelope patterns and magazine copy. As always, my primary tool is a set of embroidery scissors. More of Amber's art can be found at https://artbyamberwilliams.com More of Jeff's music can be found at: https://singsoon.bandcamp.com

Yellow #1, 5” x 7” (Analog Collage), 2023 Original Art By: Amber Williams Original Music By: Jeff Tady This particular piece is inspired by a 2022 hike at Black Hawk State Park, Rock Island, IL. Autumn is the perfect time of year to explore the trails, and I regret that I did not get a good dose of yellow this year. This has been a challenging year, coupled with plenty of sadness and also some tender beauty. In this video, you can see some of my process, including image transfer and assembling hole punches. The music is an into to a favorite song by Jeff. Enjoy! More examples of Amber’s art here: www.artbyamberwilliams.com You can find more of Jeff Tady’s music on Bandcamp https://singsoon.bandcamp.com

Original Art (analog collage) by: Amber Williams Original Music by: Jeff Tady When I was staying with my mother, Autumn 2015—Spring 2016, I created three of my favorite collages. Eventually, I was ready to move back into my house, and I asked Mom to choose one collage to keep. She chose this one—a good choice! The composition is based on nostalgic memories of an oak tree I used to climb in the back yard. The tree and its winding branches no longer exist, as it was uprooted by very powerful winds one summer during my teenage years. Those winds also curled the roof of our house up like a sweet cake roll, or at least so said the neighbors, before the flat roof dropped back down. We were out at the time, renting videos from Blockbuster Video. We came back to quite a mess, including drenched carpet... Mom and Pops have since moved, and Mom’s Tree hangs in their home. Truth be told, because I tend to gift art more than anything else, their home is like an Art by Amber Williams Gallery. I can’t give them more; it’s already embarrassing. Music is by Jeff Tady and used with his permission. He’s not on social media anymore, otherwise I would tag and gush. For the editing of these three favorites, I wanted to give that Dizzy Spell feeling. It’s a very nice, early tune of his, composed long before we ever met. You can find some more of his music on Bandcamp: https://singsoon.bandcamp.com

Original art by: Amber Williams Original music by: Jeff Tady, "Dizzy Spell" I asked Jeff to pick out a short instrumental piece for me to play with, while I continue to learn the ins and outs of iMovie. He was happy to accommodate. I have always loved "Dizzy Spell". I can't thank him enough for the support, critique, and encouragement he has provided over the years. I wouldn't be the artist I am today without him. When I look back at collages I have created over the years, many read like very personal diary entries, as I connect to when and where they were created. Like with my first post to Rumble, this one was created while staying a few months with my mother in my childhood home. Everything except the art created during that time replays as a complete blur. I do recall quite vividly that I kept dreaming of chemtrails and end of the world scenarios. I wrote more poetry than ever during those months too.

Original Art by: Amber Williams Original Music by: Jeff Tady, "Dizzy Spell" When I was staying with my mother, Autumn 2015—Spring 2016, I created three of my all-time favorite collages. This one was awarded Best in Show for the Revive 2 Recycled Art Exhibition, August 2016, at Bucktown Center for the Arts, Davenport, Iowa. There wasn’t a Revive 3. Bucktown Center for the Arts has been closed since 2020. The flood and levee breach of 2019, followed by the pandemic really hit the Quad City art community hard. Like with this piece, I am often trying to patiently fast forward. During its creation, I remembered being a kid, fast forwarding a VHS tape to the desired spot. The footage on the screen would go by faster than watching the whole tape, but it just did not go by fast enough... I knew that if I was just patient, while also working hard, there were good things to come. It was just the sticky waiting. A gentle stream comes forward through the trees, patiently. There might be somewhere else to go, but the present is quite lovely. Lastly, thank you to Jeff Tady for giving me permission and access to his original music: "Dizzy Spell".