Meet Amanda
Artist Statement
I've always been fascinated by seeing what happens when you connect nature with creativity. As a kid, I would rub pokeberries on my nails, paper, or pavement, and experiment with making things out of pinecones, rocks, and flower petals. That same sense of wonder and play now fuels my current work. My mixed media pieces are created using handmade inks from natural materials that I gather, forage, or grow. Each piece becomes a conversation between sound and nature, where music—whether ambient, synth-pop, or whatever resonates with me—guides the process. I carefully craft my color palettes based on the symbolism of the plants and materials I use, as well as their connection to the lyrics or tone of the music.
My work is predominantly abstract and meditative. I experiment with the way the ink moves across the paper. Some pieces gain an extra layer of embroidery, using threads dyed with my handmade, natural pigments. The stitching adds texture and a touch of nostalgia, a tribute to my childhood memories of learning needlework from my mother.
Through my art, I hope you find a moment of reflection and connection, feeling the calm, emotion, and vibrant energy in each piece. It's about celebrating beautiful chaos and unexpected connections.
Artist Bio
Amanda is an artist based in Hartford, CT. She is known for her unique process of creating abstract and meditative artworks using handmade inks derived from natural materials. Her painting process allows the symbolic meanings of plants and her connections with music to influence her color palettes and brushstrokes. Her paintings are infused with symbolism and the emotions evoked by the music that is repeated while she creates each piece. Her art incorporates mark-making with various tools and embroidery stitched with threads dyed with her handmade inks.
Outside of creating her own art, Amanda is an advocate for fellow artists of all art forms. She was named a member of the Hartford Business Journal’s (2019) and Connecticut Magazine’s (2020) “40 Under 40” for her work in arts administration and community organizing. Amanda serves on the Board of Directors for both the iQuilt Partnership and the Hartford Business Improvement District. She has served on the Commission on Cultural Affairs for Hartford, CT, chaired the Public Art Commission for Bloomfield, CT, and served on the Arts & Culture Transition Committee for Hartford Mayor, Arunan Arulampalam. She is currently the Interim CEO at the Greater Hartford Arts Council.