Amanda Birdsall Art Bio

I work with raw mineral pigments, acrylics, sculpture, and found objects to create highly textured paintings that jump off the canvas. I am inspired by color and simplicity. My process of painting is very unique and has many steps. I can never know exactly how a piece will turn out, and it is thrilling to me to see how it unfolds at each stage. The mineral pigments I use are not true to color when I apply them – most are greatly muted and some do not resemble their final appearance at all. Depending on how I mix and layer them, the outcome is different every time. My studio is a sunroom and especially hot weather creates cracked surfaces which I love. A high gloss acrylic glaze is applied in layers, each one affecting the pigments underneath, and the consistency of the glaze changes with the weather. As much as I tried at first to control the outcome of each painting, the fickle alchemical nature of the process has taught me to let go and allow each piece to reflect the unique conditions of its creation. I feel great joy in this process and I hope you will feel that joy in viewing and owning my work.

In the midst of my rigorous career as a performing musician and songwriter with The Winterlings, I’ve sold paintings to collectors from Pennsylvania to Florida, including several commissions. Because I work slowly and my art sells quickly, I have only a small number of paintings available at any particular time, most of which are shown here. Several select paintings are also being exhibited in galleries.