Category: Craftsmanship

Behind the Paint brush

by Amanda, posted in 2019 Artwork, Abstract, acrylic, Art, art discussions, Artist, artist looking for gallery rep, Artist seeking representation, Artwork for sale, canada, Christian Art, Christian Artist, Christian Themes, CIVA, Color Exploration, Craftsmanship, creative, Faith, faith based art, female artist, For Sale, Fort Saskatchewan, God, Inspiration, medium exploration, Mixed Media Minis, Mixed Media Paintings, My Creations, Paintings, Uncategorized

Behind the Brush

…it’s been awhile since I’ve said hello and introduced myself to all my new followers.
So here’s a little bit about me and my art.
I’m Amanda Milke, I live in Fort Saskatchewan just outside of Edmonton, Alberta Canada. I’m originally from #Moncton NB so I’ve had the pleasure of experiencing the best of Canada it’s oceans and it’s mountains and they both have my heart.
I’m a self taught artist and have been painting and creating since 1995 probably earlier. Originally I focused on acrylic abstract/impressionist portraits and then gradually started exploring different mediums while we were living and teaching English in Japan.

Gradually over time, my style evolved into mixed media. I kept my love for acrylic’s bright bold colors and paired them with acrylic mediums and found elements for texture. My creative inspiration comes from my faith. I am a follower of Jesus, I like to say a practicing Christian because everyday is a work in progress.

I love using my mixed media elements with my faith theme because it reminds me that we aren’t one dimensional beings. Each and everyone of us is multifaceted and can be seen from different angles. I love using broken and found objects and recreating them into art because it reminds me of redemption. No matter how broken or lost we are we can be transformed into a work of art. And lastly I use bright colors and reflective rhinestones in my work to symbolize the joy, light and hope we have. Too often art focuses on the dark and hopelessness of life and I just want to spread some love, light and hope around with my paintbrush 🖌❤

Farewell NOA til next year!

by Amanda, posted in 2019 Artwork, Abstract, acrylic, art discussions, Art Events, Art Exhibit, artist looking for gallery rep, Artist seeking representation, Artwork for sale, canvas, Christian Art, Christian Artist, Christian Themes, CIVA, Color Exploration, Color of Music, Craftsmanship, creative, faith based art, female artist, For Sale, Fort Saskatchewan, Gallery, God, God/Religion, NOA Night of Artists, Paintings, SALE/CLEARANCE, spiritual gifts, support living artists, support the arts, Uncategorized

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.

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New Life and New ART

by Amanda, posted in 2018 Art, Abstract, acrylic, Art, art discussions, Art Events, Art Exhibit, Artist, artist looking for gallery rep, Artist seeking representation, Artwork for sale, canada, canvas, Christian Art, Christian Artist, Christian Themes, CIVA, commission, Craftsmanship, creative, Etsy Shop, exhibit, Exhibits, Faith, faith based art, female artist, For Sale, Fort Saskatchewan, Gallery, God, God/Religion, Golden, Home Studio, ideas, In Progress creations, Inspiration, Life, medium exploration, Mixed Media Paintings, My Creations, paint, Painting index, Paintings, Series, spiritual gifts, support living artists, support the arts, Tree of Life, Uncategorized, Women in Business

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.

floral

Tree of life- work in progress

by Amanda, posted in 2018 Art, Art, art discussions, Artist, artist looking for gallery rep, Artist seeking representation, Artwork for sale, canada, Christian Art, Christian Artist, Christian Themes, CIVA, Craftsmanship, creative, Faith, faith based art, female artist, Fort Saskatchewan, God, God/Religion, Golden, Inspiration, Mixed Media Paintings, My Creations, paint, Paintings, photos, Reflections, Revelation, spiritual gifts, support living artists, support the arts, Tree of Life

I started this piece this summer at my Blue Pomegranate exhibit to show visitors to the gallery what one of my pieces looks like stripped down, bare bones. This is still a work in progress.

I’m gradually getting back to painting after battling a major artist block due in part by me questioning my purpose. How can I use this gift of craftsmanship to further God’s kingdom.

Art is a tough gift because it’s almost been eradicated from the church so there are no solid church based mentors to come alongside you and help you work out the path to walk and the regular pastors/church leaders seem to discredit it as having no real benefit to the body of the church seeing it as just superficial pretty pictures.

My goal is to prove them wrong. If I am created by a creative God to create then there has to be a purpose and daily I am striving to find it. Revelation talks of the tree of life that believers will be able to eat from and have eternal life and how the leaves are for the healing of the nations.

I love this image of the tree and its healing properties. It makes me question, what if just putting beauty, truth and goodness back out into this world right now in the form of faith based art is a way to refresh and remind the worlds souls that there is more than what is seen right now and there is hope for a future and maybe it stirs up something inside you that sets you off searching out how YOU can experience it. Isn’t that something worthwhile, you can read 100 books on how to have a better life or maybe one day a painting will inspire you to read the one book that will change your life forever?

I have to try for your soul and mine.

God is great! And this is my gift and I want to share my journey with you. So maybe one day we can both eat from the real tree of life.

❤🖌

Amanda