Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Amanda Spencer


Peonies, 20" x 20" (51cm x 51cm)

Although British artist Amanda Spencer attended art school and qualified as a graphic artist, her work life headed in an unrelated direction. However, she retained her deep interest in art and, in 2005, she began to paint in watercolor -- teaching herself by studying books and DVDs. At about the same time, she was diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), which periodically disrupts her ability to concentrate and paint due to severe fatigue.

Despite these challenges, she has produced a wonderful body of work over the past six years, with both floral and people/places as her subject matter. Her latest work is a series based on reflections – particularly windows showing the new reflecting the old, but she continues to paint florals, particularly the small pieces which she intersperses between her larger paintings. She writes, "I love watercolour – the colours, the vibrancy and the unpredictability of the medium.... I hope that I have developed a style that incorporates the unique qualities that only watercolour can offer. I find it both a challenge and a joy to produce a painting which, in turn, inspires me to continue towards my goal of becoming a full time artist one day." She credits Nick Simmons for inspiration and for his encouragement of her work, in addition to her husband Dan's support and encouragement, which has given her the confidence to continue working through bouts of CFS.


Summer, 20" x 20" (51cm x 51cm)


Sunlit Roses, 20" x 27" (51cm x 71cm)

Amanda was juried into the inaugural Shanghai //Zhujiajiao International Watercolour //Biennial Exhibition in 2010 and was also selected to take part in The Society of Women Artists Annual London Exhibition. In 2011, her work will be shown in The Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolours 2011 Exhibition as well as The Society of Women Artists 150th Celebratory Exhibition.

Chrysanthemum, 20" x 20" (51cm x 51cm)


Pashley, 4.75" x 4.75" (12cm x 12cm)

Please visit Amanda's blog to see more of her work.