Editor Profile: Amy Jones

Amy Jones joined Create Mixed Media and F+W Media’s Fine Art Community in June 2012 as an Associate Editor. She has a Bachelor of Philosophy degree from Miami University’s School of Interdisciplinary Studies with an emphasis on transatlantic fiction publishing, and a Master’s degree in English Literature from Wright State University. After teaching English composition for several years she got her dream job of editing books with the best bonus: admiring and learning about amazing and unique art. Amy lives near Cincinnati, Ohio with her cat, Charlie, and when she’s not at work you can find her reading on a boat at the lake or at the Cincinnati Zoo.

What’s the best book you’ve read lately?

This is an incredibly difficult question for me so I’m picking two. I’m a huge Ian McEwan fan and his most recent novel, Sweet Tooth, blew me away. It’s a fascinating look at the British MI5 during the Cold War. My second pick is Trapeze by Simon Mawer. It’s a fictionalized account of a real group of Resistance workers in Nazi occupied France.

Do you have a talisman/power garment/magical thing you wear?

I have a larimar ring from a trip I took to the Dominican Republic about ten years ago that I wear everyday. It’s not magical, but I would feel completely different if I didn’t wear it.

What’s today’s Word to Live By?

“You cannot find peace by avoiding life.” It’s a quote from one of Virginia Woolf’s journals and it reminds me that sometimes it’s a good idea to step outside one’s comfort zone.

What’s your favorite place in all the world?

London, England. No matter where you go in that town there is always beautiful art and architecture, or a reminder of great literature. London represents a life of creativity to me.

What’s your best piece of advice for artists?

This is for artists who are beginning or trying something new: Don’t be afraid to just get the first few projects or pages out of the way. They might not be what you want but you aren’t obligated to show them to anyone or keep them. I think I ought to try my own advice sometime!

What are you working on right now?

I’m working on a wood-burning project as a gift for a friend. I’ve also got my art journal and I’m working on a first draft of a novel.

What’s the last thing you cooked?

Fresh basil pesto. Boiling pasta was the only cooking required, but the pesto was made from scratch. It was fantastic.

If you could surround yourself with only one color, what would it be?

I always say purple is my favorite color but if I were to be surrounded by one color only, it would be a light, turquoise-y blue because it’s so calming.