Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Hamilton
Hi Amanda, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I’m a visual artist and I currently work in painting and collage though I’ve also made video work. I’ve lived in Minneapolis for 12 years and have a studio in the Casket Arts Building in the NE Arts District. I am originally from Southern California and have an MFA in Painting from Claremont Graduate University. I love working with students and I’ve have been teaching painting, video art, and color theory for over 20 years. My current work explores the contrast of human time and deep time through geology, deep space, and the contemporary landscape. The grief of living in the Anthropocene underscores my love and longing for the world depicted in these recent artworks.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Many artists struggle with the basic resources of space and time. I don’t believe in “balance” but rather in simultaneity. All the things are happening at once- art making, family, parenting, friends, work, community care… it all matters and it’s sometimes been tricky to give the attention I want to all these things and maintain my studio practice. I have had many studios over the years, often at home, in the basement, in shared spaces… I am absolutely in love with my studio at Casket Arts. Come visit me during Art-A-Whirl in Studio 315. John Kremer and Jennifer Young own a number of buildings in NE Arts District and are committed to supporting artists with affordable space and rich community. I deeply admire their vision for protecting and fostering the arts community.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
One thing that has sustained my studio practice over the years is artist residencies. There are residencies all over the world that artists can apply to and a great resource is the Artist Communities Alliance (https://artistcommunities.org/). The gift of time and space to work with a singular focus has been a lifeline. I have met and stayed in touch with so many great artist friends I’ve met at residencies. Some really significant experiences have included the Elizabeth Murray Residency, Grand Marais Art Colony, and the James Castle House Residency. I have so much gratitude to these organizations and the way being in each experience has shaped my work. I have sought out places where I could watch the Perseid Meteor shower on a boat in the middle of lake Michigan at 2am (Good Hart Artist Residency), explore the geology of the Flint Hills (Prairieside Outpost) or the geological history of Puget Sound (Vashon Artist Residency). These places have deeply shaped my understanding of the world.
How do you think about happiness?
What makes me happy? Gardening, cats, teaching, feeling I’ve ruined a painting and then pushing through to a new and better place, seasons and especially the SPRING in Minnesota, farmers markets, throwing dinner parties, tent camping on the North Shore, travel in general, and ARTISTS and the arts community here. We have some fabulous galleries in the Twin Cities and some of my favorites are Dreamsong, Bockley, David Petersen, TOA, Weinstein Hammons, Hair + Nails, and Midway. I’m always happy when I get out to shows and see the rich and thriving culture we have here.
Pricing:
- “For pricing information, please inquire through the artist’s website.”
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.amandahamiltonart.com
- Instagram: @amanda___hamilton
