Why running along the lake is amazing

A question we often ask ourselves as runners is should I go for a run today? The answer today was most definitely a yes. It was +1degree outside and the sun was out!! Rare and perfect running conditions to go for a run. So no excuses, I had my coffee and away I went. My favourite trails are often along the waterfront. Sure they may be busier then a forgotten off road path, but you can't beat this amazing view! At my halfway point I sat on a large (cold) rock, I closed my eyes, feeling the sun against my face. And I just listened to the sounds of the lake. Running and mindful moments like this are the best therapy. 

How do you spend your sunny days outside?

Sauga960Am Radio Interview

It was an honour to be asked to be interviewed about my artwork on Sauga960AM. I was interviewed by David Dacosta on his The Convo program. It was a good experience and David was a great host that made me feel like I was having a natural conversation with a friend even though he had researched and was armed with questions!

If you didn't catch the program follow me to find out the next date I will be on air later on this year!

Redbubble Store

Finally getting around to organizing and setting up a Redbubble store for some of my artwork. You won't find my acrylic landscapes on this store. However, with splashes of bold colours my alcohol inks and digital artwork shine and come alive on functional art products such as phone cases, tote bags, pillows, greeting cards...

https://www.redbubble.com/people/ashottonartist?ref=artist_title_name&asc=u

Sketches!!!

When I was in my OAC year of high school and I wanted to become an artist and I studied Leonardo da Vinci. I LOVED his sketch books, he was always curious, learning, inventing and trying to see the beauty in things while inventing the extraordinary. I love being an artist as I am always being creative and challenging myself, I want to grow, learn, see things for what they really are and see the beauty in everything.

Where ever I go I have my sketchbook. I write my thoughts, take notes, doodle, and scribble ideas, it helps me learn and grow!

Where have I been?!?!?!?!?

Commissions!! I have been busy working on commissions, doing fine art shows, workshops, and holiday sales. It's been a busy and crazy month! and loving every moment. I have even been asked to be interviewed on our new local radio station sauga960 to discuss my artwork!

Please message me for commissions, or interest in workshops. Planning and prepping now for next year!

The two images in the bottom of this picture are 36"x24" acrylic on gallery canvas commissions I have done over the past two months! Breathtaking scenery from our beautiful Canadian winters.

Spring show!

I just had a spring show in April. My artwork was up at Pixie Blue Studio in Port Credit for their "Spring into Colour" exhibit. I met a fantastic group of artists, had my artwork shown at Pixie Blue and the Arts on the Credit Show and my artwork was shown all over Mississauga. Love this area, it's vibrant and lively and inspiring!

Marty Awards 2018

I'm excited to post that I am a finalist for Emerging Visual Artist in the 2018 Marty awards!!

It's been an intense and fun year showing my artwork and reaching out to the art community! I have had amazing response, and I have grown so much as an artist. My local artist community is inspiring and it's going to be a great year!

Spring fever

Spring is approaching, today was 6 degrees, which after winter days of -20 it feels wonderful. the sun as out today, and after hiking through a marsh and a 7km run through the waterfront, I am updating my website and prepping paintings to go to a gallery in Port Credit! Stay tuned for exciting info!!

Here are some of my favourite new pieces. If I could I would paint all day. I have so much I want to do, and paint and learn. The beauty of art is that you are always learning, and developing, and you see the world differently!

I love spring for the colours, the change in air, being able to run or bike and enjoy the weather, flowers and trees start to burst with life.

I have updated my website please checkout ashotton.ca

If you are interested in purchasing a painting please contact me at amanda@ashotton.ca
I am also available for commissions

website! promo

Don't forget to check out my website ashotton.ca

Recap this past year

Wow, have I learnt a ton this past year! I feel like I have grown a lot as an artist and I am more passionate then ever. I have a thirst for knowledge and continuously want to improve. That's what draws me to creating artwork, I love it, I'm passionate about it and it challenges me! There is always something to learn.

Last year was my first year doing art shows and reaching out to the art community. It's not easy marketing yourself, doing shows and putting yourself out there. Not when most of us artists would rather be painting and creating. But the feedback has been amazing. Thank you everyone for your support. I'm looking forward to what this year will bring.

I post regularly on my website ashotton.ca
and on www.instagram.com/amanda_shotton/

My current lineup of shows for this year (and still growing)


March 22nd-29th 2018
VAM Members Show and Sale, Visual Arts Mississauga at Riverwood

April 2018
Pixie Blue Studio, Port Credit, Spring Show

Sept 22nd-23rd 2018
Arts on the Credit Tour

Edward and Frank

Tonight I did something very different. After viewing an amazing exhibit at the AGO I was inspired to recreate two amazing characters. Using black and white with a splash of colour. Sometimes doing something different and working outside of our comfort zone can teach us things we didn’t know, you push boundaries and hopefully become a better artist. Each painting took 1 hour or less, speed paintings. I had lots of fun here!

SNL Papyrus

Can't stop thinking about this hilarious SNL skit with Ryan Gosling, For all of us picky about type, PAPYRUS!!!


http://eachvideo.com/watch?v=jVhlJNJopOQ

Paint once more but with feeling!

I attempted a painting last night and my heart wasn't fully in it, this week had some hardships and I approached a painting the wrong way. I was really unhappy with it, and thought how did I go so wrong. Sometimes in the beginning stage of a painting we see something that isn't done and looks off and we feel discouraged and start to lose hope. We put ourselves down and doubt ourselves. When you take a step back and few it from a different angle, approach it with a different frame of mind, and allow your brush stokes to be loose and fast, or slow and approached with a bit of care in other areas. You start to feel and fall in love with your painting. Some things take time, we aren't perfect and neither is the creative process. Art can be very therapeutic, but like therapy you have to give in, and give it your all to get anything out of it.

Modern Mississauga

It's a great feeling when you are going through the news and find an article about the art show you are in plus a picture of one of your paintings! Check out the article about Arts on the Credit Tour and see a picture of my Love Swans painting!

https://www.modernmississauga.com/main/2017/9/11/the-2017-arts-on-the-credit-tour

Known for....

I was at Fan Expo last weekend and my artist friends inspired me to create something to display at my art shows. If you see an artist at a show for the first time you don't know them or their background, reputation and previous work. So why not create a board to spark conversation! You will be more likely to show interest in, support and invest in someone once you have made that connection.

As for me I have just won 3rd place at Visual Arts Mississauga's Beyond! Exhibit for my piece Sunset at Rhododendron Gardens! A piece I love and I am proud of.  I also have a great background in the animation industry working on many fantastic projects that I have just loved! I have created, modelled, surfaced, rigged.... numerous characters, props and environments on many popular shows! Animation is a challenging and fantastic industry to be a part of!

Let's get some conversation going!

Instagram amanda_shotton

Want an easy way to check out my artwork. I upload quick pics here www.instagram.com/amanda_shotton/


Enjoy!

Fall Shows

Tonight I sit here, wiring up and prepping some of my new pieces to get them ready for my upcoming shows this month. So proud of these paintings. They each challenged me in their own way, and they evoke thoughts and feelings and remind me of how beautiful life can be.

In 2012, I was in a traumatic car accident, and one thing that has helped me in my recovery was being outside with nature. Nature makes your problems and stresses seem smaller, beautiful views and peaceful moments can create a sense of calm and mindfulness.

Sept 17th 10am-4pm Art in the Park, at Riverwood

Sept 23-24 Arts on the Credit Tour

Fall is coming

Fall is coming, a season we all have mixed emotions about. We dread the end of summer, when the days get shorter, the weather unpredictable and the wind brings a cold chill. It's a season of change, often the start of school for many, a chance to grow as a person, a chance to move on and embrace something new. As we grew and think about the future the trees also begin to change, first one leaf then many and soon our landscape is a beautiful array of colours! I use to dread fall now I embrace change and take the time to appreciate the beauty that fall brings!

The Path
10"x8"
Acrylic on Canvas
2017

YellowTree
10"x8"
Acrylic on Canvas
2017

Yellow Tree - Balance
10"x8"
Acrylic on Canvas
2017

Dark Lake - Reflection

Dark Lake - Reflection
24"x20"
Acrylic on canvas
2017

On a clear summers day, when the lake is calm and the water is still, you can see everything clearly. This was a special moment I had while stand up paddle boarding on Dark Lake in Ontario. We are so lucky in Canada to be surrounded by so many gorgeous lakes. Had a lot of fun painting this piece!

WIP - stage 1, painting the base colour and sketching in chalk the composition

WIP - stage 2, land and sky are starting to come together

Dark Lake - Reflection - final piece

learn the rules, so you can break them

“Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist.”

― Pablo Picasso

A great quote, one of my animation school teachers would always say you need to know the rules in order to break them. I feel like that is true is so many things. I love art since it challenges you, you study and learn, through trial and error, through watching and learning from others. Life experiences change you, and how you see things. Learn the rules, so as an artist you can break them and find your own unique stye.