pens and brushes

Here is a peek into my portfolio from junior year.
My portfolio all ready for the competition!
a Sylvia Plath bag I worked on in the spring.
art bandit! I love girls in bandit masks. They plague my sketchbooks!
I drew this during a very fun crayon session with a fabulous 8 year old. I like to hide little things like this in my portfolio.
A hand painted and embroidered shirt, part of an experimental project in which I incorporated my illustrations with fashion. More another time! I have to photograph/scan a lot more of my stuff. :) Love, Amanda

take me to another time.

As you may or may not know, I am a big fan of anything with an aura strong enough that it can transport me to another place and time. Lately, for me, it's been Rasputina. This band combines costume and image with a very unique orchestra sound which takes me back to several different kinds of places, actually. Sometimes their music makes me feel it's the goldrush in some bungalo, other times they remind me of that 1920s obsession people seemed to have with fairies. My favorite song is Fox in the Snow because it reminds me of a painting I did. Other titles are quite fetching, like "Hunter's Kiss", but the lyrics aren't as peaceful as you might hope. All beautiful, though, and rich with imagery, just from the sounds of the instruments alone.
I am on the first painting of a new series of three, one I've had planned all summer. Pictures will be revealed when it is done. Until then, I hope to post some sketchbook pages and little things. Good day to you all! Love, Amanda

white frills and films

Today my friend Sam said, "Have you seen the film Miss Potter? They totally stole your style..." and I couldn't be more honored! Not only was I raised on Beatrix Potter, I adore her and she and I share a love for ruffled white collars.
I have seen the movie and it was wonderful, though her life was much sadder than I knew. On another note, I have to find a new image hosting site because I hate the text that appears under pictures with the one I have been using. That is something new. Today I saw License to Wed with mom. If anyone out there has a crush on John Krasinski because of The Office, you will love this movie. Mandy Moore is also always appreciated. Off to start a Nancy Drew mystery novel!

you were the sky, you were a firefly.

Junior year has ended. Actually, I'm well into the summer at this point. I spend my days earning money by taking care of two wonderful children (a boy who I've babysat for about a year and a half and his new step sister) on their 30 acre farm along with 2 dogs, 3 cats, and 2 also new rascal-type older brothers who do not need my assistance. All 4 kids are amazing and I'm certain this is the best job I've ever had.
(Ely altering a pre-existing boat. He builds things from scratch/renovates old things on a daily basis.) While my laptop still does not have wireless, I am able to get what few hundred pictures I have on my camara chip onto my mom's computer/use her scanner, so I have the super power of being able to show you SOME of my work right now.

a couple of sketchbook pages.
This is a painting I did for a friend in the spring (sorry the edges are a little cut off on the left). A conversation we were having about Lewis Carol's photography turned to Mark Twain, and my friend informed me that Twain kept several young girls with him at all times whom he called his "Angelfish". My affinity for strange words and word combinations caused me to immediately fall in love with the concept, and this little piece was born.
And lastly, my roommate Tiger poses with my summer sketchbook. I decided I'll paint all sketchbook covers from now on for a personal touch since sketchbooks are pretty much my best friend. I just fell in love with the music of Neko Case:
I ordered her CD, Fox Confessor Brings the Flood, from Amazon. I can't wait til it arrives. I hope to start some painting soon. This is a lovely summer and I don't want any part of it to go to waste. I hope you're all enjoying fireworks somewhere tonight. Love, Amanda