Dogs, dogs, dogs
Based in Somerset, UK, you can often find Amy Balch capturing the character of beloved pets in her unique artistic style.
Tell us about your creative journey.
When did you start painting?
I have always been very creative, since a young child I’d spend hours cutting/sticking/painting with literally anything I could get my hands on. I continued my interest in art at school and college, and then took a degree in fashion design. Here I picked up invaluable mark making and drawing skills, while also working closely with colour palettes, trends and style. I spent a short time after university tailoring jackets and suits, but my desire to travel was too big and in 2016 I moved abroad to work with dogs. I often used my spare time to draw and paint from my apartment at the time, overlooking Lake Zurich. I’ve been a full-time artist since January 2020.
Do you plan your pieces before you begin?
A lot of what I do currently is commissioned work of pets – I discuss with the owner which photograph I’d like to work from. I mark out a rough outline in pencil and shade the darker areas first. Sometimes I’ll do a pre sketch if I’m not sure I can make a photograph work for a painting. If I am painting something that hasn't been commissioned I’ll often source a lot of photos before I start the work. I’ll take whatever size surface I fancy and in terms of colour, its simple, I have a very limited colour palette of sky blue, black, white and warm grey – sometimes orange.
Your pieces have a very distinct style – both their colour palette and theme of dogs. Is there a story or reason behind this?
I grew up with dogs around me, and in later years, mainly Weimaraners and Miniature smooth Dachshunds. I have a background in dog showing so it was definitely a huge inspiration and natural progression to use canines as my primary subject. I painted one dog for a family member and the journey has spiraled from there. In relation to colour, my palette was definitely developed at university in my final collection. It’s stayed with me and 10 years later I translate it into my paintings. I’m not a huge colour lover – my wardrobe is predominantly black, white and grey. Maybe it’s subconsciously in me, but I love small pops of colour and they certainly bring the bang to a piece of work.
How long does a piece usually take to complete?
This is tough to answer as I work on several pieces at the same time and they are all individual to each other. I often take around a month on each commission so I can go away from it and back to it with fresh eyes. Sometimes they have to be scrapped and started again. And other times they just happen so easily and can be completed in a few days!
Do you have a favourite piece that you’ve created?
I have a few but one that stands out most is a long haired chihuahua that I painted last summer. There was so much sass in his pose, it just spoke to me in volumes!
What do you enjoy most about working with ink and acrylic paints?
I love how bold the colours are. I love how quickly the acrylic dries which means it is easily layered. But the acrylics can also be diluted and made into almost-water colours. The ink is fluid and has a mind of its own which adds a lot of movement to a piece.
What does a usual day look like for you?
I'm always up bright and early to get out with my Weimaraner, Macey. Followed shortly with coffee. I work from a studio in my home which I adore. I’d normally start the day with emails and then spend the rest of my day drawing and painting. I should almost definitely put more time to my admin, I’m messy and unorganised with a jotter full of lists. I like to clock off around 3pm and get down to the beach for an evening jog or ice cream!
What puts you in the mood to create?
A good night’s sleep, coffee as soon as I rise and summer skies that pour bright light into my studio. Windows wide open so I can hear the breezy sounds from outside, tunes on and quirky, quality images to work from. My best pieces come from the candid photographs that capture so much character – a wonkey brow, a sloppy lip, a stinking side eye, or a big panting smile.
Somerset, United Kingdom
Photographs: @indiarosecreative
