q+A with Featured Artist: Amy Torello

Why did you decide to become a jewelry designer?
I don't really remember it as a conscious decision, but more as something that has always been there.  I made my first 'jewelry' when I was a small kid and never really stopped.  My decision to do it full time was more of a 'lets get this out of my system' kind of thought more than anything else.  And here I am, 10 years later, still strong on ideas!

What is your aesthetic?
Simple and colorful, playful and contemporary, easy to wear    

Do you have a muse?  
Of course!  But she isnt someone famous, or even really one person.  She is ALL of the amazing, talented, dynamic, brilliant, gorgeous, go-getting ladies that I have had the most amazing fortune to meet thru this business and in my life.  I design and push on for them, and for the joy and beauty they feel when wearing my work.  

Are you inspired by other art forms? If so, are there any practitioners and/or work you want to reference?
I hate these kinds of questions because I'm inspired by so many things, but I'm just terrible at having that neat answer of who, what, where.  I love to dance, I love great film, I love music and architecture and contemporary art.... and yes it all inspires me!  I consume a lot of culture as part of my lifestyle, I just rarely seem to remember who is behind it!  I live in a world of creative people, so perhaps more than anything it is them and seeing their process, struggle and development that moves me to keep creating as well.  

Do you have a pet?
Yes and I'm one of those people whose pets are their children!  I have two cats, Holiday and Pedro, whom run the show around here.  Holiday is a rescue, I found her in the street when she was a kittie, and Pedro is her son. Holiday is my guru of happiness and Pedro is my guru of pleasure;  together they have taught me many things.  

What is your favorite color?  
Oh thats a tough question, they all are so great!  I suppose if I had to only chose one to live with forever, it would be somewhere on the blue-green scale.  But then imagine a life with no red!?  Yeah, you stumped me here. Can I just say the brighter the better?

Where in the world do you like to vacation?  
Perhaps a better question would be where in the world do I NOT like to vacation- that would be a shorter list at least.  I love to travel, thats the thing that keeps me going in life.  I love to explore new place, I love to visit friends, I travel for work.... I'm home on average 5 months a year if that gives you an idea.  I love big cities and I love deep, hidden corners of nature and forgotten villages that exist out of time.  Everywhere has something to show us, it's just a matter of having the eyes to see it I guess.  

How do you feel about chocolate?
Chocolate and coffee, the pillars of my diet. I eat chocolate every day.  However, Mexican commercial chocolate isn't so good so every time I come back from the states (about 5 times a year) I must have 25 chocolate bars with me- and I buy the good ones at TJ's and WholeFoods!   Trust- I dont let my husband anywhere near them unless I am doling out the portions.  So yeah, I feel pretty strong about chocolate!  

Learn more at www.amytorello.com