Hi, and welcome. I’m glad you’re here.

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I’m Chris Ams — an award-winning fine artist, illustrator, fabricator, creativity coach, and singer-songwriter. I’m originally from Michigan and now based in Beacon, New York.

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My awe of the natural world and my belief in the creative spirit are the embers that ignite everything I do. I love crossing boundaries and genres, blending traditional and digital techniques to create work that feels both grounded and expansive. Whether I’m painting, illustrating, building immersive environments, or writing music, I’m driven by curiosity, craftsmanship, and a desire to make something meaningful.

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I’m also the founder of Paper Bread Studio, my illustration company focused on children’s and YA book art, storyboarding, editorial illustration, comics, and animatics. Storytelling lives at the center of my practice — in every medium.

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As a creativity coach and educator, I’m passionate about cultivating inclusive, encouraging spaces where artistic growth can flourish. My teaching philosophy is rooted in the healing and transformational power of art, the importance of listening, and my commitment to being a lifelong creator and learner. I’ve taught and mentored students of all ages and skill levels, both in person and online, across the globe.

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My teaching experience includes classes and private coaching at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the American Museum of Natural History in New York City, as well as virtual sessions in partnership with the New York Public Library. I’ve also live-painted and performed at Alex and Allyson Grey’s visionary art museum, Chapel of Sacred Mirrors (COSM).

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No matter the medium, I feel most at home when I’m exploring, making new things, empowering others through creativity, and breathing life into ideas in ways that excite and inspire.

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And if you’d like to experience another dimension of my creative voice, you can listen to my music here.