Amie Jacobsen

Amie J. Jacobsen is an artist and designer working in the Kansas City area. A lifelong creator, she has produced work in painting, illustration, graphic design, and now sculpture and artisan furniture. She holds a BA in Studio Art from Western State Colorado, as well as an MFA in Illustration from the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) where she also taught illustration from 2006-2015. During her time with SCAD, she authored 3 courses for the school’s e-learning program and illustrated 12 children’s books, including the Spenser Nation series.

In 2015, Amie took the opportunity to learn metalworking as the in-house designer and resident artist at Machine Head, a metal fabrication shop in the Crossroads Art District in Kansas City, MO. In 2017 she moved into her own studio and workshop where she and her team create pieces ranging from functional art and furniture to monumental public art pieces. Plus, occassionally she still gets to paint.

Artist Statement

The creative drive is innate to the human experience. Yet we don’t just create- we create with purpose. Art is how we purposely enhance our lives. It’s the design on your coffee mug, the curve of your car, the pattern on your throw pillows. We use art to tell stories, to decorate, to express emotions or viewpoints, to test limits, or simply for fun. For me, art is about creating something that is meant to enhance a space or environment with a sense of wonder or awe.

As an artist, I am first an explorer of medium, technique, and craft. I am constantly experimenting and continue to explore materials. I currently work mostly in steel, stainless steel, and aluminum, but also incorporate wood, glass, paint, and various other materials. This allows me to create pieces ranging from functional to whimsical to monumental. Each pieces is unique, but I inevitably circle back to flora and fauna, wildlife, insects, and other animals as inspiration. Ultimately my work is meant to be uplifting, communicate energy, movement, and playfulness, yet I strive to maintaining a sense of elegance and craftsmanship.

My process begins with brainstorming and sketching. Once an idea is fully formed, sketches are developed into moquettes and/or 3D computer models. Design and engineering details are worked out and step by step plans are developed. Materials are then ordered. Usually this includes pieces that have been laser cut to specific shapes and sizes, as well as raw materials that must be cut and formed. The tools of my work include power equipment – saws, torches, welders, and grinders, as well as sketchbook, computer and tablet, paint and brush.

I work hard to hone my skills and techniques, but I have learned that it is human ingenuity and fearless expression that touches people the most. For me, each piece is a celebration of the joy of human creativity and the ability to take raw materials and make something new.