Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Rose
Hi Amanda, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I have always dreamed of becoming an artist. As a child, I spent most of my time drawing and painting. Luckily, I was blessed with numerous opportunities to explore my artistic passions. I completed my primary and secondary education in St. Paul, Minnesota. I took several art classes in school, and took some summer youth courses at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD). I expanded my artistic interests and abilities throughout middle school and high school at Great River, a Montessori charter school. I am grateful to have received support from my family, as well as my arts and humanities teachers.
My mother is an immigrant from Jamaica, while my father is European-American. Growing up as a multicultural child in the Midwest, I have always been strongly interested in exploring other cultures and traditions. I believe that my open-minded nature is also reflected in my artwork.
I pursued a Bachelor of Arts degree at St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN. At St. Olaf, I had the chance to study art history in Florence, Italy. I really enjoyed my study abroad experience, and this experience reaffirmed my love of travel. As a student, I received excellent mentorship and advice from Professor Hannah Ryan and Jane Becker Nelson, Director of the Flaten Art Museum. I was also supported by St. Olaf’s TRIO McNair program, and they taught me so much about the graduate school application process. I graduated from St. Olaf in 2021 with majors in Studio Art and Art History.
I decided to stay in the Twin Cities for graduate school. I really enjoy the large arts community here, and it was more affordable for me to stay close to home. I received my Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Visual Studies from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design in 2023.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Finding time to make art is a constant challenge. It can also be hard to stay motivated while catastrophic events are taking place around the world. In order to avoid burnout, I am trying to prioritize joy and self-care in my personal life. Many of my friends are also creative, so I feel like I am surrounded by a community of inspiring local artists. My community is definitely one of the things that keeps me going.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I mainly create portraits. I am fascinated with the human form. I predominantly work in drawing, painting, and illustration. My work also focuses on cultural identity, gender, and the environment. Through my creative practice, I aim to share my thoughts and experiences, and to increase representation for people from marginalized backgrounds. I use my portraits as a platform to share the voices of people who are often silenced. I enjoy capturing hair, intricate details, and expressive facial features. My portraits have been described as warm and compassionate.
I am most proud of the progress I have made throughout my lifetime. Devoting time to your practice is the most effective way to make progress. Sometimes I enjoy drawing late at night, because this is when I seem to have more energy and spontaneous bursts of creativity.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
I am also an arts educator! The MFA program that I attended included classes focused on teaching in higher education.
I currently serve as Adjunct Faculty at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, and at St. Catherine University in St. Paul. I teach drawing, painting, figure drawing, and 2D design classes. I am currently trying to find a balance between teaching and working on my own creative practice. I admire my students, and seeing them acquire new skills is very fulfilling. My students also offer fresh, new approaches to making art.
Pricing:
- Contact Amanda for pricing information
Contact Info:
- Website: https://amandaroseartist.com/
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/manda.art
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandaarose/
- Other: https://www.behance.net/amandarose
