The Emotive Nature of Art
Matakana-based abstract impressionist artist Amanda Jane’s landscape and seascape paintings evoke a dreamlike quality.
Inspired by the ever-changing moods of nature, Amanda uses painting to explore the profound impact the environment has on human emotions. Although she always had an interest in painting and drawing, it wasn’t until 2022 that she fully immersed herself in the discipline. “The last two years have been a slow journey of experimentation in a multitude of mediums,” Amanda shares.
Currently focussing her work on oils and raw earth pigments on canvas, Amanda finds satisfaction in these contrasting mediums, despite their polar opposite properties. Sourcing inspiration from her local environment, Omaha Beach and Tawharanui rank high on her muse list, Amanda begins her creative process with a photograph of a skyscape if she’s not working directly from nature.
“I layer the paint gradually to create depth and sometimes add modelling mediums
for extra texture. Being a perfectionist, my tendency is to want to replicate the image as best I can, exactly as I see it,” Amanda explains. “However, I try to challenge myself by leaning more towards an abstracted interpretation. Not only because I find the final work more beautiful aesthetically, but at a personal level, it’s far more challenging to achieve overall cohesiveness once it becomes abstracted - and it’s this challenge that becomes the pursuing factor.”
In her quest to further capture the essence of her surroundings, Amanda has embraced Intentional Camera Movement (ICM) photography. This technique allows her to explore dynamic and fluid representations of ocean vistas, which translate into evocative painting-like images. The movement and abstraction inherent in ICM photography align seamlessly with her artistic vision, helping her distil the beauty of the sky and sea into more dynamic, emotive pieces.
Amanda is excited to announce her first public showing in the gallery space at Charlie’s Gelato in Matakana. The exhibition, titled Continuum, opens Friday 15 November and runs for two weeks until Sunday 1 December. This event marks a significant milestone in her artistic journey, providing art lovers and the community an opportunity to engage with her work in person. Attendees will experience first-hand the enchanting atmospheres Amanda creates and the emotional depth they convey.