Amy Michelle Ditto

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 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. 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.

Amy M. Ditto, PhD

23 Asher Ln.

Tijeras, NM 87059

(505) 933-9698

amy@ghostwolf.design

education

2016 PhD Ecology/Evolution, University of New Mexico

1992 BA Psychology (with Distinction), University of New Mexico

professional

2016-present Owner/Curator Ghostwolf Gallery

2022-present President Albuquerque Art Business Association

2020-2022 Vice President Albuquerque Art Business Association

2021-present Coordinating Director Albuquerque Art Business Association

2015-2017 Vice President Corrales Society of Artists

awards

2019 2019 “Local Treasure” award: Albuquerque Art Business Association

2017, 2019 March/April edition Shadow & Light Magazine, Showcase Portfolio

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

2016-2017 Branding artist for the Placitas Artists’ Series

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, 2016 Best Digital Artist, New Mexico Arts & Crafts Festival

2015 First Place “Dia de los Moo-uertos”- “Color it Red”, Red Dog News

2014 Best Booth New Mexico Wine Festival at Bernalillo

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

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

select one-man shows

2023 Popejoy Hall Benefactor’s Lounge, Albuquerque, NM

2017 Popejoy Hall Benefactor’s Lounge, Albuquerque, NM

2016 “On & Around The Route” (Recognizing 90th Anniversary of the Mother Road), Loma

Colorado Main Library, Rio Rancho, NM

2016 Popejoy Hall Benefactor’s Lounge, Albuquerque, NM

select invitationals & juried exhibitions

2022 Attleboro Museum, Attleboro, MA “VIVID: A Sampling of Today’s Albuquerque Art Scene”

2022 “Anniversary Exhibition #1”- NM Cancer Center

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

2019 “Nocturne”- New Mexico Art League

2018 “Biologique”- New Mexico Art League

2017 ART|CORRALES- Corrales Society of Artists

2015 “Black & White”- New Mexico Art League

2014-2016 Placitas Artists’ Series

2011; 2014 IMAGE NM

2013-2019 Corrales Art & Studio Tour

2012; 2013; 2014 In Sight NM

2012 In the Mind’s Eye: Albuquerque Photographers’ Gallery

2011-2014; 2017 Annual New Mexico Photographic Art Show

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

published work

2021 May/June edition Shadow & Light Magazine, “Evolution in the Making”

2017, 2019 March/April edition Shadow & Light Magazine, Showcase Portfolio

2015 Spring edition Malpais Review, front & back cover art

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

2015 May/June edition Shadow & Light Magazine showcase image

2014 September/October edition Shadow & Light Magazine showcase image

2013 July/August edition abq Arts 6th Annual Editor’s Choice Photo Contest

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

public collections

Roswell Joy Center, Roswell, NM

Fred Luna Multi-generational Center, Los Lunas, New Mexico

Tularosa Senior Center, Tularosa, New Mexico

City of Albuquerque Public Art

State of New Mexico Permanent Collection, Lieutenant Governor’s Office