Meet Amy Cummins | Artist / Retired Police Officer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Amy Cummins and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Amy, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
I believe that success is different for everyone, but for me, it is not about the money. I believe that I am successful because I have been able to do many things throughout my art career, and I am still climbing. I have won contests, been in many shows, owned an art gallery, sold work that has been shipped throughout the United States and over seas. I have mentored young artists just starting out, and shared advice, ideas and tips to artists that have been in the business for awhile. The most important aspect for me and my art career is the human connection. It’s a hard business, but I don’t quit. I just keep pushing forward to the next art adventure. I never meet a stranger and sharing my joy of painting is my success.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I believe that I have had an interesting career thus far. I have spent 23 years as a police officer and retired in January of 2022. I felt my health was taking a turn for the worst, and decided I needed to do something less stressful. I had an art gallery in Houston, Tx called “Gallery Skye”, for right at a year. During this time, I was also battling stage 3 metastatic breast cancer. That was the most devastating news, but I knew my story would not end there. I fought for what seemed like forever, and now I am cancer free. I did have to close down the gallery, but a studio in the Silos at Sawyer Yards opened up just in time. I am also back to work full time at the Fort Bend District Attorneys Office as one of the Victim Coordinators. I have helped victims of crime going on 34 years, be it as an officer, court system, volunteer work at women’s shelters, speaking engagements, panel discussions, and so much more. Being able to paint and explore this side of me, has been crucial to my mental health. I am able to unwind and just be creative. I also knit beanie hats for the winter season, and redo furniture in the spring and summer season. The lesson I keep learning throughout all of my life experiences, is resiliency. That is the back bone of all of my success. I am able to take the punches from life, and keep on going. Same with my art. If I keep hearing “No”, eventually I’m going to hear a “Yes”.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
What a great question. I don’t get to see my best friend/sister as much as I would like, but we have always loved to go to the movies, or a comedy show. The first day would be spent at a Mexican restaurant and then talking while also watching a movie that she loves and I could care less about. We are funny like that I suppose. Shopping would definitely be something on the list for the week. We love the beach, so we would hang out at the beach, drink a pina colada, and laugh some more. That is one thing we do is laugh….a lot. I am completely myself, and I always feel like home with her. We have been best friends since the 4th grade and we are both 52 now, so we have experienced life together. Another thing that is our weakness is Mexican food, and talking about our boys. She has 2 and I have 1. I guess as we get older, the activities may be less but the conversations and connection is more.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There have been so many that have helped me along the way in my art journey. I have been mentored by artist/sculptor, Rodney D. Butler, and Suzanne Buckland about the art business, but every artist that I have met, has shared some form of encouragement my way. With that said, the one’s that are behind me 100% in all of my art endeavors is my family and friends. They always show a great deal of support and excitement for my work, my sales, and all of the things I partake in when it comes to my art. I am also so thankful for my collectors that have acquired my work, and that validates my art purpose. I am blessed to have such strong supporters on the journey with me.

Instagram: acfineart

Facebook: amy cummins fine art