We had the good fortune of connecting with Amanda Armstrong and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Amanda, what makes you happy? Why?
The natural world around me. My brand/style is all about being a life enthusiast! The natural world is a beautiful thing, the flowers I paint remind me of the happiness there is to have. Seeing the final adorned product of a skull reminds me about being thankful for the life we have. The joy I get from watching a rough piece wood intuitively carved into something beautiful. I live at the intersection high-desert and mountain, my living forest changes almost daily. My slice of paradise where I get to create is a true source of happiness and feeds my soul.
Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I was born in a small town in England, and when I was six, my family moved to Louisville, Colorado. I studied art and received her degree at the Colorado Institute of Art. I have also studied in a variety of other fields, including business, nutrition sciences, therapeutic arts and life coaching. I first concentrated on photography, especially sports photography, covering boxing and mixed martial events around the world as a freelance photographer for ESPN and Combat Press. At the same time I pursued creative photography, exhibiting her prints in New York, Miami, Venice, London and Dubai. While in Dubai, I became an art dealer and curator in World Art Dubai. In 2021, we moved to Bon Carbo. I create in a small cabin on their land that I converted into a studio. “It was a big decision to step away from the international art circuit, but this change has allowed me to create the multidisciplinary art that is important to me.”
I paint English gardens inspired from her childhood memories, and new high desert experiences using an abstract expressionist style. The colors in these paintings are bold, and are created from a minimal palette. Using my love of color theory I enjoy the challenge of creating color harmony. “I use bold color in my landscapes because I want to express the feelings I experience from looking at a stunning landscape, or a cozy cottage garden.” My paintings have been featured in international magazines including House & Garden.
My studies in wildlife ecology and botany led me to my love of using scavenged organics from the forest. Since moving to Bon Carbo, I have been creating three-dimensional art by embellishing found animal skulls, with gems, mosaics, clay and other objects.
I am also a woodworker, it’s some thing that just came naturally to me. The rustic natural look is what drew me into woodworking. I enjoy intuitively carving bowls, spoons, and more. I even like to build my own display shelves.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I live very rural, I am about 30 minutes from Trinidad. But between hiking on my property, to Trinidad there is a wealth of nature including Trinidad State Park. Exploring the many trails and viewing the KT boundary is days of enjoyment. I love spending an afternoon in historical Trinidad, which is becoming a boom town again. Trinidad is home to many new small business, many women owned. A day of coffee shops, tea shops, galleries and antiques.
With so many great coffee shops, and tea shops I stay very caffeinated, a morning at Mutiny Coffee is a great place to start the day before the many galleries open. After poking around in the galleries on Main Street there is a lot of thrifting to do. My favorite is Noah’s Ark Thrift Store, that support the Noah’s Ark Animal Welfare. Its another creative way help support the animals of the community. One of my favorite museums is also a gallery, the A.R. Mitchel Museum is a taste of the old and new west.
At the end of the day great new places like the Well Tap Room and Sexy Pizza/Grandmas House is the perfect finish!
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
As a self motivated, stubborn human I am lucky to have a supportive family. They are truly my biggest fans. Any time I needed to pivot or explore I was able to take that opportunity with the help of them. There are so many magical moments I have shared with them, but none more thrilling than a special moment with my mother. Recently she has gone back to her art, and painting more. She told me she was inspired to start painting again because of me. She now enjoys sending me pictures of her work, and asking for honest critiques. Sharing her excitement on her journey makes my heart sing.
Website: www.adornedforest.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/adornedforest
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AdornedForest/