“Extracting the Abstract” artist Amanda Wand
How did you start out as an artist?
I created my first abstract piece when I was 16 years old, I painted a heart split in the middle, one side was aflame and the other side was a question mark. I immediately knew that what I created was my most honest truth - truer than any words I could ever write. I was liberated and from there I became enthralled with using art as a form of therapy and self-expression.
How did you get into creating abstract artwork? What does abstract mean to you?
I’ve always been an abstract artist. I have tried many different styles of creation – photography, printmaking, drawing, still life painting, etc when I was in school, however, I always gravitated back to abstract in my spare time. I love the release and freedom in it. It is the only time when my overactive brain shuts down and falls into a flow. I found when doing representational art I was more anxious than at ease, my perfectionism kicks in so I always found myself going to abstract art as a way to relax. Creating abstract work is a journey of self-expression and self-discovery at the same time for me. What a freeing way to release and return to me a million times over. It is total self-expression, freedom, embracing the present without a plan. It opens up the creator and viewer to multiple perspectives and endless ways to interpret one piece. It makes me feel. I love the way abstract work hits my heart when creating and viewing it myself. Abstract is an invitation of inclusion for me, it allows me as an artist to own my vulnerability and channel it into something others connect with and find a piece of their story within my work.
“The Rise of Feminine Moon” by Amanda Wand
How do you describe your relationship with art? What does art mean to you?
I love making art! I am an abstract intuitive artist that believes in the power of process through creation. I use art as a way to navigate the complex emotions of our world with the intention to invite others to process their own emotions. Art is my therapy, it is my release, my meditation. I feel a calling to create art from a deep personal intuition in order to help me make sense of my emotions and my positionality in the world. The process of making art is where I find the magic, in allowing myself to be completely present and enchanted with each movement and colour. It is a deep process of gratitude. Even in moments when I am releasing anger or sadness, there is still a gratitude for the release and the joy of using the materials. Art means expression, truth, therapy, it is multiple truths all at once and welcomes different perspectives all at the same time.
Walk us through your journey of creating an art piece.
My work is not predetermined and I allow my intuition to guide me through the evolution of the piece. These works come from my heart which is constantly affected by societal influences and how I perceive the world is perceiving me which means the beginning state of every piece is varied in a wide range of emotions. This is why I rarely plan my pieces and instead allow my flow and intuition to guide me into creation. I will start by ensuring the space in my studio feels good, make sure the energy is what I need for the moment which could involve cleaning up, pulling an oracle card or getting in a meditative like state. I put on inspiring podcasts or music. Look at the blank canvas for a few moments and then apply either water or paint directly to the canvas, I like to use the canvas as a way to mix the paint. From there I allow myself to be in flow and choose colours and techniques by what feels good in the moment. I can get lost in this process for hours. I will eventually step back and stare at my creation for a while. I will go back in as needed to apply more colour or if it just doesn’t feel quite finished. Then I will stare at it while it dries to figure out what is the lesson, what am I supposed to know here, what is really going on with me. This naturally leads to a poetic title, that only I know the true meaning, but still invites people to participate and add their own story in it as well.
“Sparked Her Heart” by Amanda Wand