getting to know the artist
The Michelangelo of Evansville
by Jim Winnerman
For Evansville Living
Evansville’s Amy Musia may be one of the most prolific artists in the United States. Producing art in the widest spectrum of media, she says it is her personal approach to her craft that actually requires her to diversity. “I believe selecting the correct medium, whether metal, wood, watercolor or whatever, is important to the essence of the piece to keep it ‘living’ once it is complete,” she says. “Also, when I do not restrict myself to one medium, there are no limitations to what you can create.”
A few examples of her creations are ample evidence of her talent. Musia’s watercolors of lilies convey the sense you can pick a flower out of the scene or wet your finger in the water. A series of 18’x12’ colorful, woven wall installations at Riley Hospital in Indianapolis were designed to bring a sense of vitality to people who need a distraction from the sterility of a hospital. Musia’s photographs are National Geographic magazine caliber. “Story Tools,” a pristine white 12’ glided wooden column for the Evansville/Vanderburgh Central Library is topped with a sculpted montage representing different manners stories have been told.
Growing up on a farm outside the tiny town of Mart, Texas instilled a confidence in Musia she could do or fix anything, a characteristic important when she is challenged by working with new materials. “I like being able to stretch those creative, problem solving muscles,” she remarks. “I have the confidence in my ability to be able to get the product I want.”
However, when working on monumental size art that must be created in pieces and then assembled she admits to surprising even herself. “I know technically it should work, but I am always amazed when all the shapes and colors fit together like they are supposed to,” she says with a hardy laugh.
Musia’s artistic talent became apparent as head cheerleader in high school when she designed and painted banners for football games. An unappreciated present of pastels from her brother led her to replicate pictures out of an encyclopedia. Two art teachers were especially encouraging, and her talent resulted in an offer of a full scholarship from the prestigious Pratt Art Institute in New York City. However, her parents wanted her to stay closer to home.
During college at McLennan Community College in Waco, Texas, and the University of North Texas State in Denton, Texas, Musia majored in sculpture with a minor in plastics and bronze technology. She paid for her tuition by working for a firm supplying uniforms to sports teams, which led her to designing professional sports logos. When she graduated college she had already been promoted to art director.
Musia’s most visible work in Evansville is her sculpture “Bend in the River” on the riverfront, commissioned to celebrate the 175thanniversary of the city. Situated on a grass covered plateau the stainless steel and granite work is a silhouette of two frontiersmen representing Evansville’s first settlers.
As impressive as her work is, Musia says she is not so naïve to think what she does is the best she can do. As far as she is concerned she can always “go farther and be better.”
Still, she exudes confidence. “Bring the idea or problem to me and I will solve it with art,” she says.
Musia attributes part of her success to how intensely she studies the background for each project. “I love to learn as much as I can about the reason a piece of art was commissioned, and knowing where it will be displayed helps me tie it all together,” she says.
Recently a friend, knowing her love of nature, gave her a rack of deer antlers. Before long she had sawed off and polished a tip, hollowed out the core and cut a notch to make a dog whistle. “I think I will carve a scrimshaw scene into it and turn it into a unique piece of functional art,” she says studying the prototype. “I will get more antlers,” she says. “As whistles they would make memorable, one-of-a-kind gifts.”
