Born in Columbus, Georgia, Amy Sherald pursued her formal art education at Clark Atlanta University before earning an MFA from the Maryland Institute College of Art. Her early career was marked by a commitment to figurative painting, eventually leading to her signature style of simplified realism.

Sherald is best known for her distinctive use of grisaille—a technique of painting skin tones in shades of gray—to challenge traditional racial narratives and conventions in portraiture. Her subjects are often captured in staged, contemplative poses against vibrant, monochromatic backgrounds, emphasizing the humanity and individuality of her sitters.

Her work continues to be featured in major institutional collections and exhibitions, including recent presentations highlighting the Eileen Harris Norton Collection. Her practice remains a focal point in contemporary discussions regarding the evolution of American portraiture and the representation of Black identity in fine art.