My serious interest in the Portland, Oregon area began about two months ago after noticing that many of my favorite crafters and visual artist were living in the area. Knowing a lot about San Francisco (thanks to living in the “city by the Bay” for the past year), I couldn’t help but be curious as to why so many indie folks were making their home in one of the greenest cities in the United States. With my first trip to the area (and a possible move in June 2008) on the horizon, I’ll be featuring a host of interviews and features on the local area’s green and crafty communities.

Artist, Illustrator, Photographer, Animator, and Web Designer - if I had finished college, that’s probably what my resume would read; thankfully, Amy Ruppel did invest in an advanced education and now graces the world with her spectacular talents. From growing up in rural Wisconsin to becoming the “it”-girl of the Portland artist scene, Amy’s life has been a beautiful journey, filled with many creative pursuits.

With her 2003 wedding featured in the local paper and countless collaborations with notable design brands, Amy is on her way to being one of the most recognizable faces (and companies) in the ever-expanding independent creative community. All of the articles saying she is a pleasure to talk to couldn’t be more right - her bubbly personality comes through even in her emails; personally, I think it is because she is doing what she truly loves (which is a good lesson for all of us).

In one of my most extensive and exciting interviews ever, my chat with Amy includes information about her college studies, the source of her fondness for feathered friends, her must-read blogs, upcoming shows and the very-soon-to-open restaurant her and her husband established … and that’s not all!

I’ve heard that you are both a self-taught artist AND have a BFA degree from the University of Wisconsin - help set the record straight; which is true?

Amy Ruppel: I do have a degree from UW-Milwaukee in Fine Art-Printmaking (lithography was my focus). I continue to take classes even now to keep things fresh for myself, and learn new techniques, such as wood relief carving. I took an encaustic painting class here in Portland years ago, and I was hooked. Every artist is self-taught to some degree, however. Otherwise we’d all be drawing and painting the same thing. You take what you will from your classes, and make it your own.

Your encaustic “paintings” are beautifully simple and complex at the same time. Did you begin making them with a particular idea in mind or have they been developing organically?

Amy: They started out very simple, but are now growing more complex in that I am drawing into them more, and am entering a 3-dimensional realm with them. I am always trying to enhance them in some way.

A true Renaissance woman, you work as an artist, photographer, graphic and web designer - any other careers you’d like to add to your resume?

Amy: Well, my husband and I are opening a restaurant in a week! But I don’t see myself working there in any aspect other than greeting friends and neighbors …and imbibing! I’ll be on the side of the bar with the patrons. I myself would like to hone in on just painting and illustration. I no longer do any graphic or layout design or web sites. Except for friends.

Does your love for birds stem from some key childhood memories or is it just because they are really swank?

Amy: My love for birds stems from the fact that I love birds. Wild birds, that is. From the littlest sweet titmouse, to the clever, scheming crows and to the awe-inspiring great blue herons I see flying overhead now and again. Their sight always stops me in my tracks. I have the highest respect for birds. All birds have such personality in that they are never still… adding them to a composition makes the entire piece move. I silhouette them for they have the most fascinating shapes.

While perusing Google, I found your customer profile on the Design Public blog where you mention some of your favorite design magazines and TV channels. What are some of your favorite design and artsy blogs?

Amy: Design*Sponge is my favorite blog. Grace’s loves are similar to my own. MocoLoco.com keeps me up to date on the higher end of design and craft in the world. I am a fan of technology and the science behind it. Then there’s the bookmark folder I have titled “Artists I Love”. Last time I checked, I had 82 links in there.

How did you decide to do monthly art sales on your website instead of having a constantly open web store?

Amy: Well, when I started doing the sales, I had just quit my full-time job and was in need of rent money. I knew how to make a web site, but did not know how to make a web store. And since I am one to do everything myself, that’s how I did it from the start, and it stuck. Now the sales go so fast, that there isn’t a shopping cart that can keep up! So I continue to do it this way. Besides, I love chatting with the wonderful people who are buying the art. I feel like I have friends all over the globe via email.

In December, you’ll be doing an art show with fellow Portlander Trish Grantham - how would you describe her art? Did the two of you consciously decide to team up for this event?

Amy: Trish and I are dear friends, and are similar in lots of ways other than that we are both artists. We’ve done lots of shows together, for we work so well with one another. We don’t really plan things out - they just fall into place. Our work has the same appeal to people, I think, and it carries over well into the illustration and graphic world. I love her work… Her textures and collage techniques are both careful and seemingly carefree at the same time. It all feels lovingly ‘found’ yet assembled perfectly. By the way, the December show at Lunar Boy Gallery (Astoria, OR) has expanded to six artists now - all Portlanders.

You recently began to share studio space with artist Evan B Harris; what has it been like to work with another artist around? Has his artistic processes and styles affect your current methods of creating?

Amy: Evan is amazing. Watching him work has inspired me to want to take more time with each piece. He painstakingly administers exquisite detail to each portion of a painting or drawing. It’s a great symbiotic relationship. As we talk about what we want to create, the other chimes in to add to that idea. We both feel very lucky to have what we do, and now we feel like we can take that next step in our work - whatever that may be.

If someone has never heard of you, they’ve probably seen your work thanks to your collaborations with Vigo Cards, Tamara Henriques, be6, and eleventwentyfive - how did you establish these key professional relationships?

Amy: All of them are so nice to work with. They all contacted me first, from seeing my work on the web. I can never say no to someone starting out a business who wants to collaborate with me, and is following their own dreams. If I can help them achieve that look or feel they want, I am honored to do so. I try not to forget those who helped me along the way, so I am always wanting to help others in return. I like to work with companies that take great care and pride in their product, like Vigo does with their special printing processes and papers. And iPop Clicks, with their series of artist magnets. The didn’t just put any old design on them - they worked with each artist to make a series that the artist wanted to give.

On another random note, you and your husband will be opening a restaurant in Portland this month; how did that project come about? Can you tell us more about the ambiance of the location as well as what you will be serving?

Amy: The endearing money pit is called CAVA. It’s literally three blocks from our house. Our neighborhood was in dire need of a place that didn’t serve just freezer to fryer ‘food’. Randy, my husband, has worked with artisan food his whole life. It was our passion to create a place where all our friends and neighbors could meet up and eat and drink, and well, in a cozy spot. The feel is very warm and fuzzy… with deep red-orange walls and dark woods. We have wood pieces from old pubs overseas. They bring an instant warm memory of our travels and meals from over the pond and into Europe. The food is as cozy as the atmosphere. I’m so glad we’re opening in the Fall… steak frites with a hearty ale and cioppino are great autumnal meals. If only we had a fireplace!

Living in what has been called the greenest city in the US, do you and your husband have any eco-conscious habits?

Amy: We tried to buy used items when and where we could for the restaurant, and will be using environmentally friendly cleaning products there. We do so at home as well. My paintings are on scrap ends of wood that I get from a local lumberyard. I have a Terrapass on my car. It’s always in the back of my mind in every decision I make.

Do you have any other nifty, secret projects in the works that you could hint at?

Amy: I am collaborating with David Oliver Relin on a children’s book. Relin is the award winning author of “Three Cups of Tea”, and my friend and neighbor here in Portland. Come mid-November you’ll be seeing my birds and illustrations in a well-known US store throughout the holiday season, including a few TV commercials. I want it to be a sweet surprise.

[All images courtesy of Amy Ruppel]