Amy’s family moved to the village of Tanana on the Yukon River when she was just 3 months old. There she was given the Athabaskan name “Sitsoo,” which translates to Grandmother. Her middle name is Sue so it was fitting, according to the elders that gave her the moniker. She aptly named her art studio Sitsoo’s Studio. After her first 15 ye
Amy’s family moved to the village of Tanana on the Yukon River when she was just 3 months old. There she was given the Athabaskan name “Sitsoo,” which translates to Grandmother. Her middle name is Sue so it was fitting, according to the elders that gave her the moniker. She aptly named her art studio Sitsoo’s Studio. After her first 15 years of life submerged in the Athabaskan culture her parents retired and moved the family to Salcha. She attended Ben Eielson High and mushed dogs after school. Her art teacher encouraged her to paint and instructed her in a variety of mediums and techniques. Painting was always the budding artists favorite activity. After she graduated from High School she attended the University of Alaska, Fairbanks and attained her BA in Oil Painting.
Kesler Woodward had a great impact on her desire to become a better painter, as did Alvin Amason, David Rosenthal, Ree Nan Carrow and the late James Grant. All are Alaskan artists she looked up to and in a sense was mentored by both formally and informally. Her work is inspired not only by these artists she worked with personally but also
Kesler Woodward had a great impact on her desire to become a better painter, as did Alvin Amason, David Rosenthal, Ree Nan Carrow and the late James Grant. All are Alaskan artists she looked up to and in a sense was mentored by both formally and informally. Her work is inspired not only by these artists she worked with personally but also Sidney Laurence, Claire Fejes, Vincent Van Gogh, Orthodox Icons and the elements surrounding her in Alaska.
Amy currently resides with her husband of 28 years and their teenage son in Healy on the boundary of Denali National Park where she continues to paint with acrylics, oils and egg tempera.
Contact Amy at amysitsoo@yahoo.com