Karen Amster-Young, a writer and communications professional, has been drawn to art her entire life, but it wasn’t until the Covid-19 pandemic that she finally picked up the paintbrush and began creating. The art started as a therapeutic way to deal with the stresses of all that was happening in the world, but became something even more beautiful.
What was created were works of art that tell a story, through vintage magazine covers, song lyrics, and written words — from Virginia Woolf to Stevie Nicks to Nora Ephron — the images and words come to life in her pieces. And the story behind the artwork is one that many of us can relate to.
We caught up with Amster-Young to learn more.
Tell us a little about your work as an artist:
Well, first, this is one question I never thought would be directed at me! I have been drawn to art my entire life in every form, but it is only this past year I took a brush to canvas. For years, usually at the onset of summer, I would buy various acrylic or other starter kits and they would remain unopened as, well, life got in the way. I particularly love mixed media and am inspired by many things — from movie quotes, song lyrics, images, and especially what is going on inside my head or in the world. I use acrylic, oil, old newspapers and especially vintage magazines and other items.
What inspired you to start creating your artwork?
As a communications professional, I have always loved the art of writing, using words to help clients convey the essence of their brand or, as a freelance writer, capturing the core of an interesting person in a new light for various media outlets. I also write first-person essays; these pieces are intended to share my rants, raves, and views, ideally making a personal story one that is universally helpful or recognizable.
The pandemic, as it was for all of us, made me worried, restless, and in search of a new outlet for my feelings and nervous energy, I finally reached for one of those starter kits and couldn’t stop. It was almost as if the world was too overwhelming to write full sentences of any kind. It was as if there were no rules in the world anymore, nothing we, as a nation, a collective conscious, could really understand and my artwork reflects that noise, the fear, the questions, the social and political turmoil, and the new questions I had, ones we likely all had.
Tell us a little about the past year, dealing with Covid-19 and how that has impacted your art:
I have no history of creating art with a paintbrush so I can’t say how my work has evolved in the historic sense. However, for years I have been wandering around antique shows and amazing flea markets as a kind of therapy and have always collected magazines from the early 20th century. I was doing this even in my earlier public relations days and would frame magazine covers I loved while working with editors from the very same magazines. I love the graphics and the art in old advertisements, even the structure of sentences and word choices in the articles in these magazines reflect another, often simpler time. I love magazine covers the way many cherish album cover art as a part of their passion for all things vinyl.
An unrecognizable world this past year was something we all can relate to. Not being able to be with those we loved was hard to comprehend. Washing everything and using hand sanitizer until our hands were falling off became our new normal. Both my elderly mom and my daughter, while at college, got Covid. We all watched the news in disbelief. A blank canvas was the only clear space in sight as I mourned the loss of normal.
How have music and lyrics inspired the messages in your paintings?
It’s ironic, many writers read endless books; in fact, it is generally agreed that writers are reading incessantly. It is also a form of escape for many — better than any new bingeworthy show or other outlet. Same for music and movies. When I read, watch, or listen to something however, I literally am drawn to certain quotes or phrases. I tend to highlight and circle and mark up everything — I don’t know why really; I just always did. It can be exhausting but the words I circle are like art to me.
That probably explains why I can’t read a book a week or consume a new album in just one night. I have been using some of my favorites in my art during this last year — from Virginia Woolf to Stevie Nicks to Nora Ephron. “Mrs. Dalloway said she would buy the flowers herself.” I often use these favorites in my art to convey a larger message. The combination of images, words, and the juxtaposition of it all hopefully conveys a moment in time, a universal feeling or just gives people something to think about.
Give us a little background about yourself and your relationship with the Hamptons:
I’ve worked in communications and branding my whole career, including running my own agency for many years. I have launched great products and love guiding clients as they build brands and face challenges, including the incredible challenges presented by the pandemic. There were breaks in between to raise my daughter and write, give back to causes close to my heart and, like all of us, navigate life’s wild ride. Sometimes you have to just pause if you can. Friends, family, and great comedy clubs are just a few of my favorite things.
In between the hardships this year, in between all the bad stuff, it did give me some time to think and reflect and see things in a different light. The Hamptons, despite what is often reflected in the news as a place of incessant VIP parties, is a place of many things and many people with incredible sunsets and sandy beaches. But you choose what works best for you. My first experience on the East End was in Montauk with my parents and sister. Later, years after college, I fell in love with the farms and open spaces of Water Mill. But what I truly love about the East End is you can make it whatever you want. As challenging and scary the last year was for so many, it did make us all take a step back and think about what we truly need and crave and that includes both the solitary and the social.
What do you see next for you and artwork? Any plans to exhibit?
My work now is moving away a bit from the busyness of my first group (the 2020 pandemic series) as I am creating work with more negative (white) space to hopefully make a big impact with a little less noise. I am also working on an Artist Series that will share my love for the written word, using select words from various artists — songwriters, authors, screenwriters, and others.
I also want to express the newfound sense of freedom and hope for the future and travel now that we all are regaining our footing and, hesitatingly hopeful again. To say I am relieved the world is getting better is an understatement. I am hopeful for peace and less struggles for everyone, good health and happiness. I hope I remember to keep wearing flip-flops regularly and to pause in some way, when we need to, even without a global pandemic. In terms of an exhibit, I will take it all one day at a time as I figure out how to clean my paint brushes! I know one thing for sure: even if not one other person sees my work, I would still be painting because it takes me to a calmer place — with or without my favorite wine.
