Q & A with Amish Artist Christy Otto (Book Giveaway)

Christy Otto is an Amishman living in the LaGrange-Elkhart County settlement in northern Indiana. He is known for his artwork.

Being an artist and Amish is not the most common combination, but there are more and more people who can describe themselves that way. Christy has become quite well-known in Amish circles for his drawings and paintings.

David Arment, who helped put this Q&A together, can give you a better intro on Christy than I can:

Christy Otto lives on a farm near Topeka, Indiana. Christy and his wife Edna run a green house. This keeps them very busy from about March to July. Christy cuts fire wood, bales hay and paints and draws.

He illustrates for “The Truck Patch News”. This publication takes 12 illustrations each year and turns them into a very popular calendar. Popular among the Amish community that is.

His paintings are also used for calendars. Calendars he and his family assemble in his work space and sell to the small Amish and Mennonite stores that are in Ohio, Indiana, Pennsylvania and elsewhere.

And Christy’s illustrations are compiled into books. Currently there are two books, with a third due yet in 2022. These books are“cartoonish”. Each cartoon illustration is accompanied by a story. The stories come to Christy in the mail, in envelopes from the Amish community. They tell him about bees, horses, windstorms, falling off a ladder, fishin’, school benches…. If you are “English” you may have to study on a page for a while to figure out what’s going on. And all the animals seem to be smiling.

Win one of Christy’s books

We’re giving away a copy of one of Christy’s books. To enter to win, simply leave a comment on this post. I’ll choose a winner at random and post it next week.

A special thanks also to David. To make this happen, I passed the questions on to David, who got them to Christy, who hand-wrote out his answers, which I then typed out here. You might recall a previous Q-&-A with David or his guest posts, like the one on Amish phone shacks. David’s photos of the Amish and other subjects, you’ll find at armentphoto.com.

Q&A with Christy Otto, Amish Artist

Amish America: Can you tell us a little bit about your background? 

Christy Otto:  I was born in LaGrange County, Indiana in a family of eight, five boys and three girls. I was the fourth child. We grew up one mile West of the small town of Emma on an 80-acre farm.

How did you get started with drawing?

Christy Otto: I was drawing before I went to school. Had a grandpa that could draw some, he got me interested in art.

How do you get your ideas?

How do I get my ideas? For my cartoons, if something happens in the community that is out-of-the-ordinary, somebody lets me know about it and I sketch it if it was funny or had a happy ending.

What are your favorite things to draw?

My favorite in art is to sketch and paint wildlife or farm life. I paint with acrylics.

Do you have a process or habits that help you draw? Or is it more about feeling inspired or moved to create something?

I get inspired if I see a nice sunset or sunrise or just taking a walk through the woods. Just observing Creation I get inspired.

Any funny or interesting stories you could share?

The first real attempt at drawing, I was maybe in first grade. I had a picture of an Indian on horseback that I wanted to draw. So I got a pencil and paper and stretched out on the living room floor. After I was done, I showed it to Mom and Dad and they said it was really good. Then mom taped it on the wall for all to see. That’s when I decided I will be an artist!

What rewards do you feel it brings you?

The rewards of my art is not measured by money but that people love and appreciate my art, what I love to create.

Why do you think people appreciate your drawings?

I believe people like it if I have art that tells a story, or can relate to the picture.

Where can people find your artwork?

So far I use my paintings for calendars that we put together here at our shop for the last 15 years. I did not sell any of my originals, maybe someday, if people get interested 🙂

Christy Otto

How to get Christy’s books

If you’d like to get ahold of Christy’s books, you’ll need to do it the old-fashioned way – either from a local Amish or Mennonite bookstore, or direct from Christy himself (they’re not on Amazon). Here’s the info for that:

Christy Otto
6075 S 300 W
Topeka, IN 46571

Include a check… $13 for one book, $25 for two. Free shipping.

Thanks to Christy for sharing this with us!

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    115 Comments

    1. Christy Otto is so talented. I would love to receive his book. We all could use a laugh these days.

    2. Annie Joetta Mailman

      GOD GIVEN GIFT

      Impressive work and clearly a God Given Talent. Our family would love to receive this book.

    3. Wellspring

      Christy must have a wellspring of stories and events to choose from for his drawings! Just the samples accompanying the article had my mind working on a story for each! The paintings are colorful and wonderfully done! I am so glad that God gave him a talent to be shared with all of us!

    4. Liz Bourgeois

      Love these!

      I was under the impression that art of any kind was discouraged among the Amish people. I’m so glad Otto’s district allows him to express himself this way! I love the simplicity and the humor of his drawings. You can almost hear the humor in the expressions! Thank you for sharing this with us!
      Liz Bourgeois

      1. Amish Artist

        This is a topic of ongoing interest to me because now I’ve actually read about an Amish “artist” (verses craftsmen like buggy maker, harness maker, etc.). It makes my heart sing to realize that an Amish person can be pleased that others are pleased with his gift. This both addresses the artist issue, that an Amishman can actually sell art, and be pleased if not prideful about it. I love it. I’m still waiting to find an Amish potter. Thank you for this coverage.

        1. Jim that’s one thing that I gathered from Christy’s comments. I haven’t had a chance to meet him but reading his replies I appreciated that he seemed to take joy from his work, knows that he has God-given skills, and was not hiding it, but also did not come across as prideful. Feels like a healthy medium for an Amish artist (or dare I say any artist?)

    5. I love these drawings!

      The detail in these drawings is just beautiful, and I love that they come with a story, too!

    6. Christy Otto Q&A Book Give Away

      Wow! This got my curiosity up, and I loved reading the Q&A. His sense of humor is a breath of fresh air and his drawings make the stories come alive. Thank you for the article I enjoyed it.

    7. Amish and Art

      As a child, I loved trying to draw horses. I grew up on the weekends and all summer on a 200 acre farm in northeast Florida. It was my grandmother’s and she sold most of it to one of my aunts and her husband. Their major crop was tobacco which all the nieces and nephews worked in. My brother and I worked the most because we lived in town. Those were the best days of my life. My granny taught me how to cook, can veggies, crochet and sew. I still do these things today. When I turned 60, I began working with wood. I cut small shapes out, bears, reindeer, rabbits,etc. and painted them in acrylics. I sold, them at craft fairs all over and had a ball. I’m too old for that now, but I may try my hand at landscapes in acrylic. I would love to own some of Christy Ohio’s work and would treasure it. Thank you

    8. Anthony Shope

      Christy art

      I’ll see if they have the calendars at the local Amish stores in Hazleton Iowa.

    9. Christy Otto Book Giveaway

      Being someone who literally lives by her kitchen calendar, I look forward to purchasing Christy’s 2023 calendar as soon as it’s available. That being said, his art is relatable & I hope to win his book.

    10. Kim Albert

      Love this book! Sounds so interesting

      I would love ❤️ to have her book! I live over in Illinois so not too far away. Thanks!

    11. Guest

      I’d like to win one myself.

    12. Ken

      Calendar

      I will be contacting him about books and calendars also- Christmas is coming. We also have a very talented young Amish artist in the nearby community of Belle Rive, Illinois.

      1. Glad to hear that Ken. Could make some nice gifts. You piqued my curiosity, is there anything more you can share on the Belle Rive artist (unless he/she happens to be “undercover”?)

        1. Ken Pack

          I’ll see what I can find out.

        2. Ken Pack

          Reply

          ANDY MAST,raised in the Belle Rive/Mt. Vernon community of Illinois, is an accomplished artist. I believe he is now living in Colorado or Wyoming, and I am not church of his church status.

    13. Warren Henry

      beautiful Art work

      I enjoyed looking at theses pictures. Will have to see if this calendar is available near here.

    14. Bill Theroux

      Love the artwork

      I love this art work and his sense of humor

    15. Marlene Colebank

      Thank you!

      I absolutely love visiting Amish County, and even bought a house there recently. Since learning about your artwork, I now plan on putting some on the walls of the home. Thank you!

    16. Karen Adolphson

      Great interview -- and I'd love to win a book!

      Great interview! I so appreciate learning from the author and artist what their creative process is. My husband and I live just 1 hour from Berlin, Ohio, and we frequent the Amish businesses there — groceries, household goods and furniture, gifts, and more. I especially love learning about Amish life — and so your books would have a fine place in my library and in my heart. I hear the new book might be a Christmas story — and Christmas stories are a favorite genre of mine, too. Please put my name in the hat for the drawing, and I’ll hope for the best. Even if someone else wins the drawing, that’s good enough for me — ‘cuz they’re receiving a wonderful and lovingly told and illustrated story!

    17. Sarah Steele

      Amish artist’s book

      I’d love to see more of this gentleman’s work!

    18. More than farmers

      Amish, like all people, are very talented in many ways. They are not just farmers, self employed business people or curious oddities. They have humor and artistic talents as well.

    19. Mary at Blue Door

      Book

      I would enjoy having one of Christy’s books!

    20. I also write for/about Amish/Mennonite topics and enjoy learning more about those special folks.

      Here is a link to my latest review of an Amish-themed book:

      https://www.bookreporter.com/reviews/in-plain-view-the-daily-lives-of-amish-women

      I am nearly always willing and happy to review books with an Amish/Mennonite/Quaker theme, having worked overseas in Africa for Quakers and Mennonites, and having close friends among several Amish families in Indiana. I am a professional reviewer but would ask only for a book copy as “payment” for these assignments as they are very much in line, generally, with my spiritual views. Please Google my full name for further references, including many articles for Homestead.org, some with Amish themes or mentions. Barbara Bamberger Scott

    21. Sandra Rogaskie

      Amazing Talent

      I always thought drawing and painting was discouraged as being prideful. I suppose in some Orders it is. His sketches reminds me that Plain life through his eyes is a happy life.

      1. Yes I wouldn’t say it’s common, especially to make a living at it, but also depends somewhat on the community and probably foremost, the attitude of the artist in question.

        But people have creative energy and spark regardless what culture they’re in – for Amish I think in a lot of cases the “art” comes out via other pathways, for instance furniture design, cooking and baking, quilting, and so on.

    22. J.O.B.

      This is interesting. Got me thinking about ordering a book. Free shipping, too.

    23. Winnie

      Enjoyed this!

      I so enjoyed this interview! Christy Otto is very talented and this gave me yet another view of the diversity of the interests and lives of the Amish people.

    24. thanks

      Thanks for this wonderful post, and I would love to be ‘in the hat’ for the draw of a free copy.
      Blessings
      Maxine

    25. Mary M

      Amish art

      This is a fantastic find to share with those who don’t know a lot about the Amish thanks for sharing this. I was surprised yet pleased to see this and I definitely want the books.
      In the home I lived in we could do all sorts of artwork, think drawing, writing, quilting and painting and was surpised to see humans featured. We could do most any type of creative expression but drawing people could only be done as sillouettes. Seeing this was such a pleasant feeling!

    26. Terry Garner

      Amish Friends

      We’ve become friends with an Amish family. I so love their outlook on life and enjoy the time we spend together. I will have to see if they know about Christy and his talents. Maybe get them a calender!

    27. Sara

      Gorgeous!

      I love the combination of an Amish artist! It’s wonderful that he shares these stories about Amish life accompanied by his amazing drawings.
      This book looks like such a special and unique thing, I’d love to get it! If not in the giveaway, there’s always the letter + check way 🙂

    28. Marilyn Hartman

      Thank You

      Thank you so much for sharing such positive and uplifting stories. We appreciate learning more about our Amish neighbors

    29. Laurie Gurnett

      Christy’s pictures are Super!
      Detailed and thoughtful!
      He sounds like such a wonderful person!
      He really loves what he does and it was WONDERFUL that his family let him draw and paint, while growing up!
      Very humble!

    30. Susan Boyd

      Thanks!

      This was such an interesting post! I love learning more about the Amish. I find them fascinating. Had never heard of an Amish artist before.

    31. CoraVee Caswell

      Not far awsy!

      He seems to be only a few miles from my Granddaughter, his kids probably in school with my great grands! I think I need to visit their greenhouse in the spring.

    32. Cindy Holland

      Great Artist

      Amazing drawings. Would love to see the calendars pictures from previous years. Continue the good work!

    33. Joseph Frey

      Great article as usual

      I love the natural flow of Mr. Otto’s artwork. The pictures are reminiscent of the great Norman Rockwell. Very nice indeed.

      1. I like the Rockwell comparison. I find his drawings to all have a special spark of life. And some in-built humor for lack of a better way of putting it. Maybe “whimsy” is the right word.

        1. Joseph Frey

          "Spark of Life"

          That is the perfect title for Mr. Otto’s next book!

    34. Martha Smith

      Smiles

      The whimsical illustrations bring a smile to my face and I would love to have them to look at from time to time.

      1. Whimsy

        Martha I think we had about the same thought at the same moment here!

    35. Eugenia MCQUEEN

      Lovely

      What a delightful and lovely way to enjoy scenes of Amish life.

    36. Esther Kern

      My Ancestral Home

      Amish community, Emma, Topeka, Lagrange, Elkhart County…the places where I lived, worked and played for the first 26 years of my life. Christy brings that story to life in a most intriguing way! His book is at the top of my “must have” list!

    37. Susan Abbott

      Fabulous drawings

      These are the first time I am seeing your work, Christy, and I love it! The drawings are detailed, while remaining simplistic. I love the sweet facial expressions as well. Thanks for sharing your work with us.

      Susan Abbott, New Hampshire

    38. Lena

      Love the humor in those drawings. He has captured the beauty in the Lord’s wildlife perfectly.

    39. Daniel Simon

      titles are funny things

      My wife and I once drove to Topeka, Indiana to see a natural doctor regarding Lyme Disease. It is a very beautiful area.

    40. Antoinette Rudge

      Christy Otto

      Hello, I have never seen her artwork before. This is so lovely, and I would love to win a copy of her book!

    41. Esther Schmucker

      Christy Otto

      My mother and sister were artists. I would love to have a copy of this book.

    42. Joseph Frey

      Erik, Please check your...

      AmishAmerica Gmail.

    43. Al in Ky

      I have talked with Christy several times through the years while visiting in the Elkhart/LaGrange settlement. A very interesting, friendly person to talk with. Menno-Hof Amish-Mennonite Visitor’s Center in Shipshewana has a very nice painting in their children’s area that Christy painted. It is interactive, inviting the children who view it to find several barnyard animals in the picture.

      Menno-Hof also has Christy’s books for sale. Christy’s stories in his books remind me somewhat of news reports from scribes from various Amish communities which are published in the weekly Budget newspaper. Christy’s stories have the added dimension of being illustrated with his unique style of art/drawing. I have copies of both books and have loaned them to several Amish friends. One friend pointed out to me, “If you look closely in several of the pictures you will see a little dog, and the dog is actively participating in whatever is going on”.

      Thanks for this post about Christy, and thanks to David Arment for assisting with the interview. I was especially inspired by Christy’s statement, “Just observing Creation I get inspired”.

      I don’t desire to be in the drawing, but will buy Christy’s new book as soon as it is for sale.

    44. Q&A with amish artist and book give a way

      Love it ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ love it and appsolutely brings joy and laughter. Thank you for sharing and so kind to offer a book. I’m located clear across the west in bear valley springs tehachapi California and wished one day to visit the amish communities. Sadly their isn’t anything like that in this part of the states. So enjoying the Amish from a far is so breathtaking and through Christy’s books and art would be a blessing.

    45. sheri g

      I so enjoyed reading these excerpts and the illustrations are amazing! I so enjoy drawings depicting real life and nature. I am not familiar with Christy Otto but plan to learn more. Thank you for the opportunity to see this.

    46. Carl Crandell

      I love the Anabaptist i know and would be honored to have some community artwork

    47. Jeanne McCarthy

      Nice!!

      Such nice drawings and love the idea! I would love this book.
      Very talented so hope he keeps making these.

    48. Kelly Di Pari

      Christy Otto

      What a marvelous talent and such a great sense of humor.
      Count me in! I’d love to win one of Mr. Otto’s books.

    49. Carol Lukaszewicz

      Christy Otto

      Hi Erik, Nice interview with Christy Otto. He has definitely been blessed by God with this artist talent. I know attitudes,thoughts,and ways can differ between Plain communities. I’m glad his community has allowed artistic expression in drawing and painting since he was a child, and apparently from years before he was even born. Blessings to Christy, Edna, and his family. Carol Lukaszewicz

    50. Don Burke

      Interesting post, Erik. A nice variation to what we normally see and hear about among the Amish.

      But I have to ask…, am I the only one to notice that in the very first line drawing (beginning of the post) the hay is stacked in a manure spreader? Maybe that is normal for Amish (or elsewhere), and maybe what I’m familiar with among (admittedly limited) English uses the spreader far more frequently than the Amish would, but a fresh load of hay in a used manure spreader just strikes me as kinda nasty.

      1. Joseph Frey

        It looks....

        It looks like when you use a pitchfork to clean out the stables. There is straw mixed within the manure as it is used for bedding. Just from the looks of it.

        1. Don Burke

          Okay, that’s a workable answer for me, I guess.

          I had noticed before that it’s a woman on the wagon, but just now catching that it’s dad at the sewing machine — both seemingly opposite of what would normally be expected. Wonder if there’s significance to that?

          1. Al in Ky

            Yes, there is significance to the position of the man and the woman in the first picture. This picture is from Christy’s Book II of “The Story Behind the Picture” and is on page 53 of the book. On page 52 Christy tells what is going on: “Out of Hancock, Wisconsin comes this prophesied scene. This young couple found this picture at their table on their wedding day. He came from a family of boys, so he helped a lot in the house. And she was a farmer’s girl. I hope they are both doing well!”

            This is a good example of what Christy said in the interview: “How do I get my ideas? For my cartoons, if something happens in the community that is out-of-the-ordinary, somebody lets me know about it and I sketch it if it was funny or had a happy ending.”

            1. Don Burke

              Thanks Al — interesting story.