Amanda Horvath

Artistic background

Wild natural landscapes and peaceful forests inspire contemporary artist Amanda Horvath to create outstanding paintings. Practising from her studio in the Peak District her work is a response to nature, expressing quiet tranquillity and serene woodlands, which bring the outside into the inside space.

“My paintings are about peaceful places and quiet healing woodlands. I attempt to create uplifting work bringing a feeling of optimism and freshness, capturing the spirit of these tranquil places. Inspired by ethereal light and dramatic contrasting shadows, I have a passion for expressing nature in beautiful colours, whilst imparting a feeling of calm. This affinity with nature has grown from early childhood and my past experiences."

The creative process begins outdoors in the landscape with preliminary notes, which form the foundations of the work to continue on canvas in the studio. Harnessing some of the optical mixing techniques employed by the impressionists the paintings are created layer upon layer of highly textured paint. Working expressively using palette knives and brushes the result is paintings that lie somewhere between abstraction and realism. The finished works have dramatic contrasts in the shadows, which create delicate oscillations, almost like a breeze blowing gently through the trees. Amanda is influenced by contemporary artists who work from nature and her paintings have found homes with private collectors worldwide.

Quote

"I found I could say things with colour and shapes that I couldn't say any other way-things I had no words for" Georgia O'Keefe

Interests

As my work is such an integral part of me painting is my main interest, my life and identity are inextricably linked to being an artist. Walking in nature and woodland places is very important and forms the most significant inspiration for my work. Art has been my main interest for as long as I can remember and I always wanted to live my life as an artist.