Amy Reisland-Speer received her BA in oil painting in 2000 from the University of Alaska Fairbanks and continues her study with adult education painting courses. Her artwork has been featured in solo exhibitions in Healy, Kodiak and Denali, with group exhibitions in various areas of the state. Her art is held in private collections across Alaska and in Maine. Reisland-Speer has also made public donations of her work to Kid’s Stop Day Care, Fairbanks Counseling and Adoption and the Denali Foundation. “I began reading books about traditional icon painting and egg tempera techniques. From the books I learned how to make gesso, grind pigment, lay gold leafing and finally apply the paint. Slowly I began to complete small icons with egg tempera and imitation gold leaf. Copying the forms in the traditional manner is extremely satisfying to me,” Reisland-Speer said. She currently works out of Sitsoo’s Studio in Healy.