Cooktown School of Art Society Inc
Amanda Jones
I see myself as an emerging artist and I use a broad variety of mediums. However I particularly like using pastels, as they are great for blending. I find that any colour going on is exciting and I especially like being able to transform a blank piece of paper or canvas – into something. This brings me to my favourite subject which is portraiture.
My inspirations for portraiture have come from extensive travels throughout India, Nepal, Israel, Egypt, Singapore, Thailand, Laos, Malaysia, Indonesia, Bali, The Solomon Islands, New Zealand and Tasmania. I am intrigued with the many different facial features of the peoples of the varying cultures and like to show this on paper.
In 1966, I began painting as a result of a car accident. While incapacitated I found the time to paint, something which I had not indulged in since leaving school. Although I began working in pencil I soon began experimenting with different mediums, using whatever suited the subject matter.
Appreciative comments and sales encouraged me that I was heading in the right direction. I have completed many commissions and my work can be viewed at the Cooktown School of Arts Society’s Elizabeth Guszley Gallery, Cooktown Community Artists Association and Natures Powerhouse at the Cooktown Botanical Gardens.
Web site featuring my paintings and infromation www.art.tmoid.com
I have had no formal training but was fortunate to have a love for art and studied it at school. I have been involved with 8 different workshops which has helped me immensely along the way. I have been inspired and influenced by the works of Harley Brown. Maxine Thompson shared her expertise and taught me pastel portraiture.
My favourite medium would have to be pastel but I do adapt myself to any medium depending on what suits the subject matter. I have no qualifications and am basically self taught and am fortunate enough to be able to attend a workshop once every year which helps open up new pathways. I am a member of Cooktown School of Art Society and Cooktown Creative Arts Association.
Current works can be viewed at CSAS, CCAA and Nature’s Powerhouse Botanical Gardens. I have had 3 private exhibitions:
2002 - Atherton Shire Gallery.
2002 Art on Aplin – Family Connections Joint exhibition with my mother (now passed away) and my daughter.
2003 – Paradise Palms Golf Club.
Since 1996 I have been awarded with 12 firsts, 2 seconds and 5 highly commended awards.
Appreciative comments and sales have encouraged me greatly.
Title: Willie Gordon at The Rock Art Site. Winner of Poberay Memorial Award Miniature in the 2009 Annual Art Exhibition.
Title: 'Gaanhaal Big Sister View of Mt Piebald' Oil
First Prize in 2008 Annual Art Exhibition COOK SHIRE COUNCIL AWARD –“Spirit of Cook Shire” Acquisitive. Framed painting depicting the spirit, heart, character or essence of the Cook Shire (Open to Cook Shire residents only)
Title: 'Willie Gordon - Citizen of the Year Cooktown 2008' Pastel (glass effects image quality)
First Prize 2008 Annual Art Exhibition in PORTRAIT Non Acquisitive Portrait of a Person – Any medium
Title: Crab Hole Creation - Graphite
Highly Commended: 2008 Annual Art Exhibition GREENFIELD MEMORIAL AWARD Non Acquisitive Black and white – Any subject
Title: Dendrobium Bigibbum
Title: Natures Wonderland
Title: Natures Light
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