background and artist statement

Amanda Page Stephens

Background:
I was raised by the art community in Norfolk, Va., so it is my blood to make art. Naturally, I studied art in grade school. During the summer of 1994, I went off to the Maryland Institute College of Art and Design. The following fall I entered into Governor's School of the Arts. Due to the guidance at Governor’s School, I was accepted into 11 art schools in the spring of 1995. By Jan. 1996, I was headed off to the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. I studied there for three years until I returned to Tidewater in 1999. From then on until 2006, I juggled school, family, and work at SAIC, ODU, and TCC. I finally earned my degree in May of 2006. During the years my art has appeared in a variety of group shows and in two solo shows. My first major exhibition accomplishment was in 1995. A sculpture, mixed media, photo piece was accepted into the Chrysler Museum's Irene Leeche show. I was the youngest artist to ever be shown. I have judged a couple of festivals and art shows. I have taught a handful of workshops on video and performance art. I hope to continue to produce and show my work in the days to come.
Artist Statement:
Accidental stains constantly inspire my creative side. In fact natural stains make up most of my pallet. Pigments from tea, wine, coffee, and flowers actually appear in my work rather consistently. An assortment of found objects like puzzle pieces, obscure street metal, and fabrics show up on my canvas too. The quest towards peace and sanity repeat in my work on a regular basis. The concept of inexpensive and recycled materials, drive my creative process. I enjoy inviting my community to contribute to the stains by spilling their drinks or putting their cigarettes out on my canvas. I orchestrate these accidents by directing where the spill or burn goes. In the end a search for answers and relaxation gives my work its foundation.