Artist Statement & Biography

Taking oneself too seriously is a dangerous endeavor that robs us of considerable joy. There is a certain kind of person that defines themselves by what they don't like. I prefer to define myself by what I do. Joy is a crucial element of the human experience. It can and should be the domain of art, and it is an incredible gift to be able to bring a little bit of laughter and some beauty into people's lives. Thus, elements of wonder and humor have become definitive components of my work. I strive to push the boundaries between photography and other art forms to communicate the inherent vibrancy of the world around us.”

An award-winning artist, Amy studied Fine Art Photography at the University of New Mexico. Unable to see a way to make a living at it at a young age, she went on to earn a BA in Psychology and ultimately a PhD in Ecology. She has now come full circle, working as an artist full time. Amy's process is a fusion of original photography and digital techniques (no AI!) to create playful, iconic images from the imagination. Her bold, vibrant, fantastical, and undeniably fun mixed digital media collages evoke a sense of wonder and irreverence. Best known for her “After Oz” series, Amy’s new media collages depict scenes and tell stories with a distinctive vision and quirky sense of humor. Having evolved with the photography genre from black and white wet media to the digital age, Amy has been motivated to define herself without apology as an artist with a distinct vision.

Amy's work is widely collected locally and internationally and is held in public collections, including the permanent collections of the City of Albuquerque and the state of New Mexico. She has been named a “Local Treasure” by the Albuquerque Art Business Association (AABA) and had work featured in museums and national art shows. Her work has also been featured in a variety of publications, donned book covers, and just made people laugh. As a way of giving back to the art community, she founded Ghostwolf Gallery in Albuquerque Old Town, a contemporary gallery that highlights the work of local artists with a truly unique vision. She also volunteers as the President of the AABA, and is a past VP of the Corrales Society of Artists. Amy lives and works in the mountains of New Mexico with her husband Stefan and her two rescue dogs. You can find her work online at amymditto.art or see it in person at Ghostwolf Gallery in Old Town Albuquerque.

You can purchase of her work via this website or call 505.933.9698


Curriculum vitae

professional

2016-present         Artist/Owner/Curator Ghostwolf Gallery

2023                         Jury Committee Corrales Society of Artists

2022-present         President Albuquerque Art Business Association

2020-2022             Vice President Albuquerque Art Business Association

2015-2017               Vice President Corrales Society of Artists

2013-present          Social Media Manager Corrales Society of Artists

2016-2019               Santa Fe Artists Market

2010-present           Co-owner Aperture Photography

awards

2019                           2019 “Local Treasure” award from the Albuquerque Art Business Association

2017                           Winner’s Showcase, “Red Head #2: The Flapper”, Color it Red 2017, Shadow

2016                           Winner’s Showcase, “Red Head #2: The Flapper”, Color it Red 2016, Red Dog News

2016                           Winner’s Showcase, “Immaculate Perception”, Color it Red 2016, Red Dog News

2016-2017                 Branding artist for the Placitas Artists’ Series

2016                           Branding artist for the Corrales Art & Studio Tour

2016                           Best Digital Artist, New Mexico Arts & Crafts Festival

2015                           Honorable mention, Rio Grande Arts & Crafts Festival Poster Art, Sunshine Artist Magazine

2015                           Poster & T-shirt Artist, 27th Annual Balloon Fiesta Show, Rio Grande Arts & Crafts Festival

2015                           Best Digital Artist, New Mexico Arts & Crafts Festival

2015                           First Place “Dia de los Moo-uertos”; “Temptation” & “Local Geometry” winner’s showcase gallery- Color it Red, Red Dog News

2014                           Best Booth New Mexico Wine Festival at Bernalillo

2014                           Juror’s Choice “Meanwhile, Back in Kansas” & winner’s circle “Dead Head”- Color it Red, Red Dog News & Matrix Fine Art

2013                           Honorable mention “Intensity”- Color it Red, (Red Dog News)

2013                           Honorable mention “Solace” abq ARTS 6th Annual Editor’s Choice Photo Contest

2012                           Honorable mention “Straw Horse”- 21st Annual Fall American Photography Competition at the Hubbard Museum of the American West

2011                           Second Place “Where There’s Smoke”- IMAGE New Mexico

 

one-man shows

2023                           Popejoy Hall Benefactor’s Lounge, During Hamilton & Aladdin, Albuquerque, NM

2017                           March-May: Popejoy Hall Benefactor’s Lounge, Albuquerque, NM

2016                           June/July: “On & Around The Route” (Recognizing 90th Anniversary of the Mother Road), Loma Colorado Main Library, Rio Rancho, NM

2016                           March: Popejoy Hall Benefactor’s Lounge, Albuquerque, NM

2013                           December 2013: O’Niell’s Irish Pub– Artist of the Month

 

select juried exhibitions

2022                           "VIVID: A Sampling of Today's Albuquerque Art Scene" - Attleboro Arts Museum, Attleboro, MA

2022                           “Anniversary Exhibition #1”- NM Cancer Center

2019                            “Movers & Shakers: Artists Who Teach, Lead, & Inspire”- NM Cancer Center

2015                            March/April: Black & White Group Exhibition- New Mexico Art League

2014-2016                   Placitas Artists’ Series

2011; 2014                   IMAGE NM

2013-2023                   Corrales Art & Studio Tour

2012; 2013; 2014        In Sight NM

2012                            In the Mind’s Eye: Albuquerque Photographers Gallery

2011-2014; 2017         December: Annual New Mexico Photographic Art Show

2012-2013                  Fall/Spring: 21st Annual Fall American Photography Exhibition at the Hubbard Museum of the American West

 

published work

2021                         May/June edition Shadow & Light Magazine, Showcase Portfolio, "An Evolution in the Making"

2021                         March/April edition Shadow & Light Magazine , “Stormchaser”, showcase image

2017                          March/April edition Shadow & Light Magazine, Showcase Portfolio "After Oz"

2015                          Spring edition Malpais Review, front & back cover art “San Francisco Skyline” & “Meanwhile, Back in Kansas”

2015                          Local Flavor Magazine “Winter on Canvas” featuring “Solace”

2015                          May/June edition Shadow & Light Magazine , “Local Geometry”, showcase image

2014                          September/October edition Shadow & Light Magazine “Meanwhile, Back in Kansas”, showcase image

2014                          2014 Calendar CSA/New Mexico Artists’ Market. Featured artist “Dark & Stormy Night”- June.  “Solace” honorable mention, back cover

2013                          July/August edition abq Arts 6th Annual Editor’s Choice Photo Contest: “Solace”, honorable mention

2012                          Volume IV: Diffusion Magazine, Muse Showcase, “Blue Chamisa #5”

 

public collections

State of New Mexico permanent collection, Lieutenant governor's office; "Wisdom of the Four" (special edition)

City of Albuquerque Art In Public Places; “Wisdom of the Four”

Fred Luna Multi-generational Center, Los Lunas, New Mexico; “El Rey”

Tularosa Senior Center, Tularosa, New Mexico; “Dia de los Moo-uertos”

Roswell, NM "JOY" Center "Black Dahlia" (artist proof)

 

private collections

Works held in private collections across the United States & Europe.

 

judging experience & mentoring:

2023                           Juror Annual NM Photographic Art Show

2017-present            Juror and curator "Women's Work", "WILD", "Superfunkadelic" annual  juried exhibitions- Ghostwolf Gallery

2019                           Judge, Pictures of the Year, Enchanted Lens Camera Club

2019                           Judge, Encantada Annual Juried Exhibition Sponsored by the Rio Grande Art Association

2017, 2023                Student Mentor, Albuquerque Public Schools

2015                           Juror, ANMPAS

2015                           Judge, Patterns & Textures for the Enchanted Lens Camera Club

2013-2015;2017       Juror, Annual METRO Photography Competition for Albuquerque High School Students

2013                           Juror, The Way I See It, Annual Juried Show at The Albuquerque Photographers’ Gallery