Amy Hardesty

Hello there! We should probably start with my name. I’m Amy Suzanne, but you can call me Amy or Amy Sue, either one is fine by me. I’m 24, Catholic, a daughter, a sister, an aunt, and a friend. My parents have been divorced for over a year. I have four siblings, three older and one younger. My two oldest siblings have enriched my life by making me an aunt.

• If you ever need someone to talk to, feel free to send me a message. I’m all ears.

Generally, I’d tell you want you can expect but not this time. You’ll find something new every week, God-willing, so here goes.

It’s a new year and everyone says that it’s time for a new you. I, however, disagree. I think that as human beings we are constantly evolving. To say that a new year should be the reason to spark that constant change in us undermines our own attitudes and ultimately ourselves.

As I welcome the New Year, I want to take the time to introduce myself to you. This will take more than one entry here and glimpses of myself over a much longer period of time. I’m going to take a moment to reflect and appreciate all of the ups and downs from this past year.

In January, I started my last semester of undergrad at NKU. It was a process getting to that point. I’ll be honest and say that the whole reason that I choose NKU was because of one of the professors there who later end up becoming one of my mentors. Three years prior, I had the opportunity to visit the school and I set in on Andrea’s class. Sitting there I had that feeling that that was where I needed to be. Andrea was one of the best teachers that I had at Northern and was a huge proponent in aiding my decision to become a Printmaker.

My last semester at Northern, I was taking a full course load on top of working full time and putting together my solo exhibition. Time consuming, I know. I had been working to put together my solo show for a year and a half prior to it actually opening, because if you know anything about Printmaking, it’s a process in itself.

February was a hard month for me. I started the month by totaling my car and having a mutual break up with my ex. Shortly proceeded by breaking my ankle. What a joy to be in a boot during the cold months and walking to and from campus on a daily basis. Honestly, you should have seen me bundled up, in a boot, and carrying my 36” x 36” linoleum block across campus.

My show opened up in April and I sold one of my pieces on the first night. It was a validation that I had made the right decisions despite my families and my own doubts. A few weeks after the show opening, I had to take it down and finally walk the line. Six years in the making and I can say that I have obtained my Bachelor’s of Fine Arts in Printmaking along with a minor in Psychology and an Associates in Art Education.

Not longer after I graduated, I transitioned from a shared apartment to a place of my own. If you’ve ever done this, you know that challenges that come along with it.

Like I said this year has been challenging but one of the most gratifying, and I’ve have had some pretty challenging years. It revealed things about myself that I wouldn’t have known otherwise. I’m stronger than I believe both physically, emotionally, and mentally. I’m capable of more than I realize despite rigorous circumstances. But more than this, I can not only tackle but also conquer whatever I set my mind to.

My mind has been set and I know that everything that I have conquered has prepared me for the challenges in the New Year and the years to come.

Psalm 138:3 “When I cried out, you answered; you strengthened my sprit.”

Until next time,

Amy