Project: Norwegian Flower Mural with Urban ArtWorks

In September, Urban ArtWorks reached out to me to ask if I was interested in designing a mural for a client’s private garden/residence. Since the client is often gone, they didn’t care to plant flowers or other vegetation; instead wanted to have a mural depicting Norwegian flowers that they could look at year round.

In total, the mural covers roughly 4.5’ x 25’ and consists of 4 separate panels which are attached to the client’s fence. The flowers in the mural are as follows:

Alpine sow-thistle (in the two-toned purple) | Giant bellflower (in the yellow) | Water aven (in fuchsia) | Fiddlehead fern (in green) | Round-leaved wintergreen (in two-toned red).

The colors are not true to the flowers natural color; however, this was done with intention, as Seattle winters can be quite grey, so bright, bold colors are necessary to brighten up the area.

Between the project manager, a volunteer, and me, we were able to finish the mural in 3 days. Although if you know an artist, you are well aware that we could have picked at it for an eternity longer.

All in all, I am pleased with the outcome, as is the client, so I couldn’t wish for a better ending to 2019.

In the following pictures we have my cat, Agatha, critiquing my initial designs - tracing the design onto the panels, using a projector - beginning stages of painting and outlining - the completed panels in the Urban ArtWork’s studio - the mural in situ!

Art Show at Standard Goods in Capitol Hill

As my inaugural blog post, I thought I'd let you all know about a current show hanging up in Capitol Hill at Standard Goods in Capitol Hill, Seattle.  While the art walk itself was a few weeks back, the show is still up for another little bit, so definitely go check out my art as well as Standard Goods - it's a really neat Pacific Northwest-inspired local shop. 

Maya Koplowitzi, Direct Marketing Editor of Standard Goods,  interviewed me for their artist spotlight blog. It gives more insight of who I am as an artist and how I got started in this field. You can check out the interview + pictures of my illustrations at there website here, but I'll also post the Q & A below. 

I have another upcoming show in October at Revolutions Coffee  in Greenlake, as well as a December show at Dubsea Coffee in White Center, so you'll never miss out on seeing my art in public spaces. 

I'll make more of an effort to keep up the blog posts to keep you all updated on the goings-on and what not. I look forward to seeing you at one of my shows!

Interview with Maya, Marketing Editor at Standard Goods:

This coming Thursday at Standard Goods for August Capitol Hill Art Walk we will be hosting two talented artists, both featuring the animal kingdom. Meet Amanda Jorgenson, the Seattle-based but Alaska-raised illustrator. Amanda combines her love for natural science, song lyrics and puns with illustration. 

Tell us a little bit about your style as an artist? 

I like focusing on the details which may seem minute and insignificant to some. Every spot, scale, hair, feather has its importance and needs to be drawn with care. The hardest drawings I've ever done are the animals we find "common" such as crows, robins, and squirrels. If you look at them long enough, you'll come to realise they are quite complex!

I enjoy creating art which has more of a meaning - even if it is not completely obvious. My titles always show what I was thinking about and the end product is putting those words and lyrics down onto paper. 

Growing up in Alaska must have been amazing. What is your favorite thing about Alaska? How did growing up there shape you as an artist? 

 Alaska is all about being in and around nature and wildlife. I enjoyed being able to drive 15 minutes from our house and be in the Chugach Mountain Range, the moose wandering around the neighborhoods, and the occasional black bear going through your trash. I liked the feeling of being quite small in the vastness of my surroundings. 

While living in Brevig Mission, AK (a small Native Alaskan village in the Northwest of Alaska), I had the opportunity to learn and watch Native carvers and drawers at their work. I remember watching them for hours as they practised their craft. Their style influenced how I see animals. They have more behind their facade. They have a story, an importance. 

How did you get introduced to the Natural Science Illustration program at University of Washington? Sounds fascinating. Can you tell us a little about what this program? 

 My mother is a branch manager at a library in Vancouver, WA., where she hosts local artists art. One artist was a former student in the NS Illustration program at UW, and my mom immediately told me about it (Thanks, MOM!). I applied after putting together a portfolio and got in - which drastically changed my career path. 

I encourage anyone who is interested in drawing flora and fauna to attend this program. I learned about drawing proportion (instead of just eyeballin' it), different mediums (like colored pencil on drafting film) and I ultimately found out what my illustration style is. The feedback from the instructors and more importantly your peers was most excellent.

Can you recall your earliest memory with art? 

I remember spending evenings sitting at the dining room table drawing birds and other animals with Mr Sketch markers. Additionally, I was a very fortunate child in the sense that my parents saw my talents and encouraged me to continue drawing so they enrolled me in art courses from the age of 6 on.  

What is your spirit animal? 

 According to a quiz I just took online, I'd be a Brown Bear based on the fact that I like mountains, the color blue, and berries. I would agree, as I am calm until provoked, enjoy my downtime and alone time, sleep and being outside exploring. 

But my coworkers have said I'd be an orangy-yellow bird, based on the fact I absolutely adore birds, ever since 5th grade when my teacher taught a whole section on them. The color bit...no so sure.

What Illustrators that you admire most? 

James Audubon. His bird illustration plates are divine. 

What was your favorite children's book growing up?

My favorite picture book was a German book called "Mein Bär Braucht eine Mütze" (My Bear Needs a Hat), which is about a teddy bear who needs specific clothing knitted by the narrator's mother in order to go on a walk/adventure. 

As a chapter book, I absolutely loved the "Redwall" series by Brian Jacques. I've always enjoyed stories with anthropomorphism. Perhaps my visualization of the characters while reading helped me develop my style. 

What is your favorite medium to use? 

 I really enjoy using colored pencil on drafting film and photoshop for digital painting (I love my wacom tablet!). 

Where in nature do you go to find inspiration? 

 I can be sitting outside just observing the common neighborhood animals and find beauty and complexity in their everyday-ness. Most of my inspiration come on walks home around Lake Union to Fremont, listening to music, or trying to work an animal seen along the way into a pun. For example: that's how I came up with the Octopus (titled: "Enjoy the Silence" - Lyric, "Here in My Arms"  - song by Depeche Mode) and "Drowning in Your Swallows" - a picture of Swallows perched on a wine glass, seen along Lake Union and my thirst for a glass of wine. 

Lastly, what words of encouragement would you give to aspiring artists young and old?

Have faith in your talent and craft. I am constantly discouraged, but working through my own self-doubt so that I continue to produce ever-changing illustrations - pushing myself to achieve more. Use your disappointment in your more-than-likely already brilliant art work to make yourself work harder, try different techniques, etc. Of course, I'll need to remember my own advice the next time I believe my illustration looks inadequate.