Statement and Story
Artist’s Statement:
Hi there! I’m a multimedia artist and my name is Amanda.
Within all of the different media I use, I make visual representations to express complex emotions. Many people struggle with finding words for emotions, and art is a great way to embody emotions that can be understood by the viewer. I love to explore dark, complex themes such as grief, fear, and anger and to also explore themes of wonder, bliss, and even cognitive dissonance. I hope that my art can express, embody, and inspire the viewer feel complex emotions to lead to better emotional processing in the brain.
About Me…
Hi! I’ve always had art as a hobby since I was very little and love to make art by: sketching and inking, painting with watercolor, gouache and oils, blending colored pencils with Gamsol, making abstract monotypes, and newly using pastel pencils. Mixing different media is the most fun!
My academic background is in the Life Sciences (B.S. Cell Biology, and M.S. Neurobiology and Behavior, respectively). Through my most recent research into alexithymia, I’ve realized how many people have difficulty with finding the appropriate words for the emotions they’re feeling. Many other languages also have unique words for emotions that English does not (natsukashii, weltschmerz, for example). I hope that my art can express, embody, and inspire the viewer feel complex emotions to lead to better emotional processing in the brain.