Born in Mexico City in 1935, Amaya studied at the National School of Painting and Sculpture under Jose Ruiz and Francisco Zuñiga. Later, he was appointed a Professorship at this same institution in 1969. He received much of his art training at the Esmeralda School, which was formed by a group of artisans producing government works. Amaya works directly from the model whether sculpting in terracotta clay, bronze or marble. His portrayal of the female body is dignified, graceful and unique, a melding of the Mexican Figurative movement with modernist experimentation. Amaya’s sculptures are in private and public collections throughout the United States, Canada, Japan, Ecuador, Mexico and other Latin American countries.