self portrait 2010 Painting

Amanda Predmore was born in NY, NY. She obtained a B.S. in Studio Art from Skidmore College in New York where she focused in drawing and painting. Ms. Predmore was originally drawn to creating larger than life oil paint and charcoal portraits that had a tendency to reveal truth of character in her subjects. She was most fascinated by subjects who had experienced tremendous suffering and found strength in studying the details of their expressions which displayed their resilience and the wisdom gained through their struggles. As a portrait artist, Amanda was challenged during Peace Corps service in Morocco, as she lived in a conservative Muslim village where the depiction of humans was discouraged for religious reasons. Amanda was inspired by the beauty of Morocco with its variety of vibrant colors and patterns and these became integrated into Ms. Predmore’s work. When Amanda returned to the U.S. to live in the Pacific Northwest she began working as a mental health therapist. Coping with other people’s traumas on a daily basis, Ms. Predmore’s work has shifted focus away from portraiture toward nature where she seeks solace and peace. She finds comfort in studying the flow of energy and patterns in plants and water and feels this practice helps her to process the suffering she absorbs in her work. Amanda has previously exhibited work in Seattle at Plum Café, the King County Crisis Clinic gallery, Swing hair salon and Cortona Café. Her most recent exhibition at Cortona featured a series of charcoal portraits of senior citizens affected by King County transportation cuts.