And... we're back. After our little break, I'm very pleased to post about the work of Amanda Hawkins. I feel like her work is all about hidden beauty, while still being extremely playful. Like a lollipop that's been picked up off the ground—covered in ants. It's still good! Okay, that may have been a little contrived, but I haven't done this in a while... Anyway, her work is fantastic: dirty and grimey and lovely and fun.
Name (Real or Screename): Amanda Hawkins
URL (Blog, Website): www.ahhh-design.com, www.flickr.com/photos/ahawkins
Location (Where are you from?): Las Cruces, New Mexico — living in Phoenix, AZ
Q: Describe your work in 10 words or less.
A: Color and textures combined to portray simple, honest emotions. Yeah.
Q: What do you like to work with (magazines, photographs, vintage)? Be specific!
A: I never work with anything glossy like magazines & photographs - they're too clean! I have a box full of scrap paper, ripped up dictionary pages, scrapbooking paper, found objects, ribbon pieces, punched out letters, lace, ripped fabric. I have a large letter stamp collection and tons of ink pads... I smash the ink pads directly onto the paper and use them as a tool.
Q: How long have you been creating collages and what made you start?
A: I started about 3 years ago, I came across this community on livejournal—and was so inspired and thinking, wow, I don't have to do big paintings all the time—these little scribbles in little books are so intimate and personal, I fell in love! I found an old day book and started pasting paper and words over the top of it and I was hooked.
Q: Are you solely an artist, or do you work in another profession?
A: I work as a graphic and web designer at Anamorphics, a small web firm in downtown phoenix and also do some freelance design.
Q: Do you have any formal art training?
A: Bachelor's in Fine Art with an emphasis in Graphic Design at New Mexico State University, Associates Degree in Digital Graphics, I took my first art class in 10th grade.
A: Lately I love 'Crayola Twistables' - the yellow especially. The last several collages I've started by scribbling yellow in the background. Drawing with pencil over crayons leaves the greatest texture. I hold the pencil close to the lead like I imagine a kid learning how to write would do. It gives you less control over the movements you make, I always try and let my hands and the materials do more work than my head.
I love tissue paper too... gluing it on so that you can see what's behind it then rubbing white conte over the top to fade it out and add even more texture. I use white tissue paper in my typewriter, when you glue it on the page the paper and words fade into the back. I'm all about layers and hiding things in the background. It makes everything more personal. Texture, if I only had one word to describe my work that would be it.
Q: Describe your favourite piece ever created.
A: My favourite book in the world is "Spilling Open" by Sabrina Ward Harrison. She found a way to create something incredibly beautiful and write words that I think every person feels and understands. She's amazing and her collages are so wonderful. So, if I had to pick a favourite piece of art that's it.
Q: What other artists do you admire?
A: Robert Frank, Mark Rothko, William Kentridge and a million more!
Thanks Amanda!