Congratulations to Amy Giacomelli, our very first Industrial Clear winner! Based in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Amy is a painter who recently began sculpting:
"I would describe my work as eclectic, colorful, and often a little unexpected! I work in a variety of styles and mediums, from original paintings to sculptural pieces and functional art. I love experimenting with texture, color, and form, and I'm drawn to things that have a sense of character and personality. I don't like to limit myself to one particular style or subject. For me, the joy is in exploring new ideas and continually discovering something I haven't tried before."
Does where you’re from or where you currently live influence your work?
Yes, for sure! The beauty of the natural landscape is certainly a source of inspiration. I'm drawn to the colors, textures, and changing light in nature, although inspiration can come from just about anywhere. Sometimes it's a landscape, and other times it's an everyday object, an interesting shape, or an unexpected combination of colors. I think being an artist means learning to really see the world around you, and finding beauty in things other people might overlook.
What is your art background?
I've been a professional artist for my whole life, and my career has taken me in some interesting directions. I've worked in Hollywood painting backdrops for movies, as well as in scenic art for attractions and rides at Disneyland. Those experiences gave me an appreciation for craftsmanship, scale, detail, and the magic of transforming an idea into something tangible. Over the years, I've continued to develop my skills through hands-on experience, experimentation, and a willingness to keep learning. I think an artist is always a student, no matter how long they've been creating.
Are you a full-time artist, or do you create around another job or career?
I'm a full-time artist, and creating is very much at the center of my life. My work encompasses so many different things, from original paintings to handmade sculptures, home decor, and functional art. I also run my own online shops, so there's a whole business side to being an artist that people don't always see. There's designing, photographing, listing, packaging, and marketing, in addition to the actual making. It's a lot of hats to wear, but I love having the freedom to develop my own ideas and take them from the drawing board to a finished piece.
What do you love most about the mediums you work with?
I love that every medium offers different possibilities. Painting allows me to explore color, brushwork, atmosphere, and emotion, while sculptural materials let me work in three dimensions and create something people can experience from different angles. I'm especially drawn to materials that allow me to experiment with texture and have a little fun! I enjoy the challenge of figuring out what a material can do, and sometimes what it can't do is what leads me to a new idea. I get bored doing the same thing over and over, so working across different mediums keeps me curious and creatively energized.
How did you first discover resin?
I began exploring resin when I started creating my food-inspired spoon rests. Because these are functional art pieces that come into contact with food, finding an appropriate food-safe finish was essential. That led me down the rabbit hole of researching different resins and their properties. As artists, we sometimes have to become researchers and problem-solvers, too! I wanted to make sure the finished pieces were not only beautiful but also suitable for their intended use.
How has resin impacted or changed your artwork?
Working with resin has made me more aware of how important it is to understand the materials we use, especially when creating functional art. It's not just about how something looks; it's also about how it performs and whether it's appropriate for its intended purpose. My food-inspired pieces combine a playful, artistic approach with everyday functionality, so finding the right materials is an important part of that process. It's been another reminder that being an artist often involves a lot of experimentation, research, and problem-solving behind the scenes.
Can you give us a brief rundown of your creative process?
When making my things that I use resin on, I never sketch out an idea. I always think I will, but I never do! I just start with the clay and take it where it looks right. I’m an incurable experimenter. I'll try different materials, make adjustments, and occasionally go down a completely unexpected path. I enjoy the problem-solving aspect of art just as much as the actual making. My background in scenic painting taught me to pay attention to preparation, materials, and details, and those things are still important to me today.
What motivates you to create?
Curiosity, probably more than anything else. I constantly think of things I'd like to try, and I get excited about seeing whether I can make an idea work. There's something incredibly satisfying about starting with a thought or a rough concept and turning it into a real object or piece of art. I'm also motivated by the desire to keep growing. After many years as an artist, I still want to explore new materials, develop new ideas, and surprise myself. I never want to feel as though I've reached a point where there's nothing left to learn or discover.
Does creating art positively impact other areas of your life?
Absolutely. Creating is the way I process the world around me. It keeps me curious, observant, and open to new possibilities. Art also teaches patience and persistence, because things don't always work out the way you expect them to. You learn to adapt, try again, and sometimes discover that the unexpected result is even better than your original idea. I think creativity also brings a certain richness to everyday life. You begin to notice colors, textures, shapes, and little details that might otherwise go unnoticed. Once you start looking at the world that way, it's hard to turn it off!
What do you hope people see or feel when they look at your work?
I hope my work makes people feel something, whether that's joy, curiosity, nostalgia, or simply a little surprise. I love creating pieces that make someone stop and look twice, perhaps because of an unusual subject, an interesting texture, or an unexpected use of color or material. I also hope people recognize the thought, craftsmanship, and attention to detail that go into what I make. Whether it's a painting or a small handmade object, I want it to feel considered and individual, with a personality of its own. Ideally, someone finds a piece that speaks to them in a way that goes beyond simply decorating a space.
What does success as an artist mean to you?
Success means being able to continue creating, growing, and making a living doing something I genuinely love. It's wonderful when someone connects with a piece of my work enough to want to live with it in their home, but success is also about the freedom to explore new ideas and follow my curiosity.
What is your favourite resin tip or trick you’d like to share with our readers?
Sometimes making mistakes goes along with the territory! Use the resin on a small piece first, if you’re unsure about the way it will behave, then when you’ve worked out the kinks, go ahead and do your large piece. Doing a small sample piece will give you the confidence for your larger ones.
Where can people find or purchase your work?
People can find my work for purchase at my website, www.loveyoumompears.com
Congratulations on your win, Amy!
To see more of Amy's work:
Follow her on Instagram: @skyearthandmade
Visit her website: www.loveyoumompears.com
Made something awesome with Industrial Clear? You could be our next winner!
To celebrate our community of artists and makers, one lucky creator who's shared their work will get a 48 oz kit of Industrial Clear from us.
Here's how to share:
• Tag @industrialclear on social media
• Fill out our Featured Artist application
• Email your work to support@industrialclear.com
• Write a review with photos of your work
Industrial Clear: Rock Hard Epoxy Resin
