Well the weekend for the Night of Artists has come and gone for another year and it was a lovely experience.
Not only did I get a chance to sell and discuss art outside of the Fort, but I got to meet and chat with fellow creatives and start a few friendships.
Here are a few pictures of the weekend! If anything catches your eye shoot me a message to purchase. I offer free delivery of large pieces in the Edmonton and surrounding area.
Night of Artists is having their annual Art Auction and my submission this year is an
18″ x 24″ mixed media painting called “Breath of Heaven”.
Most of my paintings tend to be inspired by a Bible passage but the inspiration for this piece comes from several different verses that all spoke to me.
By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth Psalm 33:6
In his hands is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind. Job 12:10
The Spirit of God has made me; the breath of the Almighty gives me life. Job 33:4
You see my grandmother who I am very close with has by God’s grace survived through skin cancer, colon cancer and lung cancer and has now recently had more cancer found in her other lung. As I was thinking over the unfairness that is cancer and was petitioning God for healing for her I was given this image and message that even though the breath in her lungs may fail her body, the breath of God in her soul will never fail. The same breath that formed the Heavens and gave life and form to everything can also live within us and that alone is awe inspiring to me. So in this painting the “sky” breathes, as layers of cells/earth have life and breath radiating out of them.
If you’d like to own this one of kind mixed media painting you can place your bid online here: 
I love creating art around a theme or concept and for 2019 that theme is “Immersion”.
I’ve been inspired by how prominent water is used as a symbol in the bible from the sea of Galilee to the many miracles that center around it and I wanted to create a body of art that encompasses that wet and wild imagery.
So, throughout 2019 my media feeds will be flooded with many water based paintings which hopefully will culminate into “Immersion” a gallery exhibit that will immerse you the viewer into this wet, wonderful world.
For now, here is a look at some past and present and in progress pieces to immerse your senses in.
🌊💙
Amanda
“But God will never forget the needy; the hope of the afflicted will never perish.”-Psalm 9:18
One of the things I aspire to do with my art as a Christian artist is to help spread the love and hope that I have found in Christ Jesus through my art. Sometimes that looks like me creating art that testify’s to what God has done or is doing in my life and sometimes that means I use my creative gifts to help others feel that same hope.
As I was finishing off the first batch of my new mixed media mini’s today, painting my edges black I was struck by how bold and vibrant they stood out against the dark edging. As I left them to dry I just had this feeling that the Holy Spirit was calling me to use these small paintings for a big purpose to shine light into darkness. The more I thought on it the clearer it seemed to get in my mind and heart. God has a funny way of lining things up when we’re attentive to his voice and I knew just where to use these paintings that would make a difference Hope Mission.
Hope Mission is a not-for-profit Christian social care agency caring for the impoverished and homeless men, women and children in Alberta. Basic and emergency care is provided to over 800 people daily as well as counsel and referral services for men, women, and youth. Each day Hope Mission provides over 1000 meals, and shelter for over 500 people. Specialized care and treatment is offered for men and women through faith-based addiction treatment programs. Hope Mission also facilitates an after school recreation and hot meal program for children. In all, our desire is to provide compassionate care and offer hope to hurting, hungry and homeless people in Edmonton.
This series is now being called “Hope in the Darkness” because no matter how jagged or textured our past, no matter how dark our life, God can ALWAYS bring Hope out of it but it starts with us using what God has given us to help bring hope to others. Each painting in this series is as unique as the person it will go to help. For every piece sold I will donate 25% of the sales back to Hope Missions to help support them in the wonderful work they are doing in our community!
I hope you’ll help me in my effort to bring Hope through art.
Amanda
You can purchase or commission a piece in this series by leaving me a message here to see the available pieces or by messaging me on my Facebook page AmandaMilkeArtist. Each mixed media piece costs $40 is one of a kind and measures 4″ x 4″ x 1.5″ and is done on canvas. Perfect for a small space, shelf or desk or buy several to arrange in sets of 3, 5 or 9 tiled cube patterns.
I’ll also be adding a new page to my website with this series in the next few days.
I’ve been thinking about my 2019 exhibit(s) and the theme I keep having come to mind is a series of mixed media paintings based on scriptures that incorporates florals, botanicals and natural elements. There’s so many verses in the Bible that talk about life and growth using plant based analogies that I think it would make for a rich and vibrant series. I have a ton of ideas for paintings and art objects which I will share with you over the next few months. Til then, I’ll leave you with this work in progress flower that will soon be added to my Tree of Life painting.
I had the pleasure of being interview for the local Fort Saskatchewan newspaper as part of my Blue Pomegranate art exhibit! Tonight’s the night for my Artist Talk. I can’t wait to share with everyone my process, inspiration and a personal tour of the gallery. Starts at 7pm hope you can make it out!
Well it’s official! I am all set up at the Fort Saskatchewan ALFA Gallery.
It feels like it’s been a long time coming but it’s here.
Here’s a sneak peak of the set up.
So if you’re in the area please check it out and sign the guestbook.
Also, all works on exhibit are available for sale.
I’ll be posting more pictures and video and my interview with the local radio station I did yesterday are coming so stay tune!
Cheers,
Amanda
