Amanda’s art journey began in her grandparents’ breezeway, constructing condos for all of their new barnyard kittens. The cardboard box structures were lovingly decorated using Mr. Sketch scented markers, complete with hand-sewn pillows, blankets, and even curtains for the windows. Her grandmother was her biggest champion, especially when it became evident art-making was going to play a big part of her life.

Amanda earned a Bachelor’s degree in Visual Arts Education from Ball State University, taking a variety of studio courses, but honed in on her passion for drawing, painting, and printmaking. She recently earned a Master’s degree in Art Education from Eastern Illinois University, focusing her research on therapeutic art-making practices. Sharing her passion for creativity, discovery, self-expression, and risk-taking, she has taught art at Lapel Elementary and Middle School for the past seventeen years.

As her two daughters become more independent, Amanda has found more time and inspiration for creating her own artwork. Always eager to learn, she has studied with artists through in-person and virtual workshops. At this point in her artistic journey, she is interested in portraying the human face and figure with nods to the Impressionism and Art Nouveau art movements. However, you might find a floral or landscape piece in the mix. With her experience using a variety of two-dimensional art media, she finds herself moving from oil, to gouache, to charcoal and pastel frequently. Maybe, one day, we’ll see the reemergence of the cardboard box in her work.