Family: Art as a Narrative

Amy Vellenga-Buban

 

Amy Kathryn Vellenga-Buban was born September 16, 1996 in Washington, D.C. Amy was the second of three children to Christopher Buban and Christine Vellenga. Amy and her older sister Caroline began drawing at very early ages, for fun, for school, and in additional art classes that her mother enrolled her in. Amy is, as of Fall 2014, enrolled in her first year of college with an intended art major at Guilford College in Greensboro, North Carolina. Amy cites her biggest artistic inspirations as Vermeer, manga artists Nobuyuki Anzai and Masashi Kishimoto, her close friend Rachel, and her older sister Caroline.

 

Amy's place in this exhibit is probably the most important to the central theme of tradition and influence, as she is the youngest of the four artists and has received direct or indirect influence/instruction from all other parties in this exhibit. In talking about her relationship with art and Caroline, Amy says, "My older sister was always like a step ahead of me, she was my constant challenge, my motivation to get better at it. It’s like my role model was around me 24/7-- it was good but it was frustrating!" Amy asserts that the rest of her family has always been wholly supportive of her art, and remembers that her mother would always give her eager, kind feedback for everything she made. Amy also has felt welcomed into the arts by her grandfather, John Vellenga, who took her and sister to the Smithsonian museums whenever he came to visit. She also grew up surrounded by the art of her uncle, which had an impact as well. 

 

Amy has said that she feels that art has kept her relationship with Caroline very strong. The two do not live in the same state, and sharing their art with each other was a way to keep in touch during high school. Art has also been a huge catalyst for some of her close friendships, building a community around art. Regarding her personal explanation of art, Amy says, "It makes me happy, makes me feel good and feel better about myself. Cartoons and comics really are so fun to make and draw. I mean, enjoy it, or else what’s the point? When you get better at it, you can get more joy out of it too." She says that she prefers cartoon-ish styles to hyper-realism, but she does love how rewarding the finished product can be of a realistic portrait.

 

Amy has won various accolades for her art, but does not value them nearly as highly as her own personal achievements and goals: "I’m really proud of what I’ve done and what I do."