Meet the Designer

Amy Butler                          

It's always interesting and insightful when you decide to sit down and write something about yourself. Kind of fun... as you get down to the nut of who you are. Here's a little bit about me and my incredible studio mates.

I'm an artist and designer surrounded by great friends, family, nature & animals. I love to travel for inspiration. I love to meet people. I love art of all kinds, and the simple textures of everyday things. Cooking, gardening, yoga, meditation and music are all passions of mine. I spend a lot of time creating and running my business and traveling to meet with new friends and old, - I love it all! My husband David (soulmate, guru and best friend ) and I have been together since 1986 (art school) and married since 1990 and we work together every day. We have 4 cats - Pete, Birdie, Pip & Smooch. They're ALWAYS close by!

My story is not different from anyone else's, only my experiences are unique to me. I've been " making things " all my life; drawing as early as I can remember and learning to sew at age 7. I've been hugely influenced by my grandmother and my Mom... two dynamic women who shared their love of arts & crafts and always supported my desire to follow my heart. I worked hard in art school to hone my skills and became obsessed with fashion and surface design.I got a job with a large company right out of school and soon started filling my personal creative time by making small passport bags out of vintage fabric and selling them in shops. In 1992 Dave and I decided to move home to be near our families and start our studio " Art of the Midwest ". Over the years we developed a breadth of illustrations and products for clients worldwide always believing we would continue to evolve and craft this creative life. Keeping on this path, putting one foot in front of the other one creative experience and opportunity has led to the next, ultimately allowing me to come full circle and create a business that incorporates my biggest passions print design, sewing and connecting with people.

This artistic energy extends into the way we run our business and work to effect positive changes in our community and beyond. Every decision is looked at with respect to how it will affect other people. We want to improve the lives of those whom we touch. Working to live sustainably as part and parcel of everything we do at my studio, and of how I try to lead my life. This philosophy is inherent: reusing vintage clothing and furnishings, making your own beautiful home and fashion items, gardening organically to help sustain your ecosystem, and simply—well, living simply. " Giving back " is also key and is a great privilege. It's a way of life that elevates the spirit and encourages those around you to take responsibility for and ownership of society as a whole. A better world is constantly maintained, not finally achieved. We work to sustain a cottage industry of local seamstresses, engage in fundraisers for our women's shelter and food bank, and support the area's animal shelters. Your community supports you, I believe it's vital to work to maintain a healthy, viable relationship with it. This is essential to the optimistic vision that inspires me, and it is dear to my heart.

One of my core beliefs is that through who we are and what we do, we can inspire great change in ourselves, each other, and in the world. I believe that we can inspire those around us to become happier & more confident through finding their own creativity. That's the wonderful thing about making art! Finding creative fire, love, passion, excitement, and pure joy in the little everyday things... taking note and loving and appreciating every moment. I feel fortunate to be on my path nurturing my creative spark, and I love hearing about other like-minded folks who are finding theirs! It's a beautiful process, we're all in it together... growing, learning and becoming.