Amber Waterhouse Fine Art
Art gives me the power to thrive and connect with others
Instagram: @waterhousedecor
I have been making art since I was very young. I don’t know what I love more, making art or studying it. I am passionate today as ever for the study of art, and I think it motivates my painting. I grew up with creative people and, through them, a great appreciation for the beauty found in our everyday surroundings. Having lived on the coast of southern Massachusetts for most of my life, I am attracted to the beauty this environment offers year-round. The coastline and all its splendor are a multi-season muse. I love old things, whether buildings or boats or objects. I am attracted to their patina and craftsmanship, to the beauty they once held and still hold today. Color is the emotional driver, the source of inspiration for me. I love the juxtapositions, the contrasts, and the problem-solving that comes with trying to capture it. Painting allows for the opportunity to capture, somewhat romantically, a moment, a passage of light and atmosphere that sings to you.
“We need creativity and art to create the connection between humans and the beauty of our world.”
I create an experiential venue for our community to be exposed to and collect art.
My retail shop is a venue for showcasing my work and the work of several other local artists, as well as select vintage fine art. Waterhouse, over the last twelve years, has become a welcoming venue for viewing original art and sharing conversations about art.
I was at a juncture in my life where I was looking for a next chapter when I learned that an antiques shop in Hingham Square was looking to close and sell in 2014. I had been selling my work in Hingham and on the South Shore for several years, and I realized this would be a great venue to showcase it. I immediately invited the artists with whom I paint and whose work I admire to also show their work at the shop. The mix of antiques and home décor supports the art business and creates an ‘at home’ relaxed environment to engage with art and other hand-crafted and collectible items.
Waterhouse is a venue with regular hours where people can stop in and see a lot of art in one space. Some clients are in the pursuit of purchasing, while others come in just to look and engage. Having a space to engage in this way allows people an entry into collecting and connecting with art. Artists need collectors, and our community needs art.
In addition to providing a regular venue to show new work, Waterhouse allows collectors to see a lot of work in one location, like an ongoing show. This experience, combined with social media promotion, broadens the artwork we carry's exposure. Waterhouse has become a destination in the greater South Shore community for viewing original art and exchanging ideas and knowledge about art.
Building a brand that is inclusive, proprietary, and unique takes time to build and to garner trust within the community. The art we show does speak for itself, but it is supported by knowledge and sincere connection. Creating and maintaining the ‘environment’ takes consistent diligence, financial acumen, and proficiency. The challenge is to sustain our current clientele while simultaneously growing and expanding our audience. I love what I do and hope this shows.
I believe our role is to be a conduit between the art and artists and the community that supports their efforts.
