About
Amanda is a landscape painter whose main muse is California. Born and raised in Marin County, she traveled extensively and lived far afield only to return to the land and coastline she loves best.
Early plans to be a painter took a backseat when Amanda fell hard for archaeology. The study of ancient rock art sites, theories concerning the origin of art, and collaborative projects with indigenous communities became the bulk of her career. She also authored two non-fiction books, excavated sites internationally, and helped develop numerous museum exhibits for cultural sites and historic places.
Today, Amanda’s come full circle—back to her great and true love, painting—and all that came before culminates in how she makes art now.
Amanda holds a Master of Arts in Archaeology from the University of British Columbia, and a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from The University of California, Berkeley (Phi Beta Kappa). She is also a fellow of the Royal Anthropological Institute, London, and recipient of the Connie Smith Siegel Landscape Painting award (2025).
Artist Statement
I paint places I love. I’m drawn to poetic scenes and dramatic light. Bold shadows and boxy shapes, backlit hills and golden hour. My work is informed by a career in archaeology and a deep interest in the power of place.
What stories does the land hold? What is the significance of a place and for whom? What infuses a landscape with meaning? My paintings hold a connection, a personal story.
I always want to explore wild beauty in relationship with man-made elements such as roads, buildings, fences, and other stamps of human influence. I find an irresistible tension and beauty between the two.