Amanda has been a life long resident of Jonesville, MI. She started painting at a very young age with her Grandmother who instilled in her a love of art. They would set up their easels in her Grandmother’s kitchen and paint landscapes together. Her Grandmother would also take her to art shows and galleries, and they even took lessons from local artists. Amanda received an art scholarship at Spring Arbor University where she received a Bachelor’s degree in Art. 

 

During college, she took a photography class and fell in love with black and white photography, spending hours in the dark room. For over 20 years she did fine art photography and weddings. During this time, Amanda was also a Volunteer Firefighter for 11.5 years with the Jonesville Fire Dept. 

 

In 2019 Amanda felt a huge need for color in her life and returned to painting. Instead of doing landscapes, she started doing abstracts in bright, bold colors. Amanda also does custom abstract pet portraiture. Amanda is currently the Vice President of North Country Artist Alliance and a member of Jackson Civic Art Association. She loves interacting with the art community and finds her time with other artists inspiring. 

 

Amanda is also Vice President on the board at Adriel Christian Church. She is very active with her church and also has a religious blog, thelionessinthewilderness.com where she is involved in helping and praying for people around the world.                                                                                           Artist Statement

When I enter my studio I say to myself, “What colors do I want to play with today?” I love working with bold, bright, contrasting colors. I love seeing how they play with each other on the canvas! I mainly use palette knives to create a textured impasto effect. I have been enjoying experimenting with cold wax and marble dust making the impasto effect thicker than with just plain paint. I receive great pleasure when the viewer wants to touch the paintings to feel the textures.  I just love to paint people's pets. Animals have such colorful personalities, and I find great enjoyment in portraying that on the canvas.  I hope that the viewer can see and feel the joy in the paintings I make. When I am not in my studio, I love being with my family and my animals. I also love being outside and taking walks with my dogs through the woods daily.