About Artist Amanda Parker

Although I was born in Oregon during the fall of 1982, I spent most of my life in Southern Michigan and currently reside in Northern Virginia.

I created my first serious drawing at age 12, and my interest in art has continued to grow ever since. After many years of studying art and being pushed by brilliant instructors I began painting full time in May of 2011.

I prefer to paint with acrylic and oil because each offers unique attributes for completely different painting styles. Although I have traditional drawing skills, and am able to recreate anything on paper, I choose painting for the continual challenge it presents me with.

My personal style is derived from my unique perspective on nature, and the human mind. It changes as my world evolves, and as such no two paintings are ever the same. My favorite paintings are those I create with others in mind. I love bringing someone else's ideas to life in a painting. I consider my their happiness as my prize upon delivery.

While a painting is being comprised it transforms as I ponder the composition over a few days. The best images are developed over several days. My gift to the viewer is the placement of secrets and stories within each painting. Sometimes days or months after a painting is delivered the owner tells me they have discovered the secrets and wonder if I intended to create them.

When I'm not engulfed in a world of paint and canvas I am travelling through the bike trails of Northern Virginia with some music and a bottle of water, playing computer games, or enjoying time with my husband.

If you would like to know more, grab a cup of coffee and click my history and inspiration pages. I'm always open for conversation if you would like to contact me. Thank you for your interest in my work and life.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How to Purchase •
Please see the current gallery for available plaintings.
Click "Buy this painting" and a paypal window will open. Follow the steps provided to compelte purchase.

• Custom Work •
I am currently available for oil and acrylic commissions.
The painting is completed in a timely fashion (acrylics 1-7 days, oils 1-2 months to allow drying time).
I work to please my clientel. The painting is not complete until it meets your standards.
Prices vary based on size and time commitment. 50% up front payment, and 50% upon completion.
Please contact me at ParkerAmandaLynn@gmail.com or call (703) 425-1965 for more information.

• Certificate of Authenticity •
Included with all paintings.
Details: Description, Photo, and date of work. Materials. My name, Signature, and Initials. Other notes about the work of art.
If you do not receive this hand written and signed certificate, then it is not an original artwork painted by me.
At this time I do not create prints or replicas.

• Shipping Details •
Shipping to the U.S. is included in the price. Outside the U.S. may require additional fees such as duty fees or extra shipping. Please contact before purchasing if located outside the U.S.

• Return Policy •
Accepted within 7 business days. Please return the painting and a full refund will be sent minus shipping costs. Buyer pays return shipping. Exchanges are available, contact me for information.

A story about art and how I came to be the artist I am today...

My first memory of artistry begins at age four while attending kindergarten. I was asked to fill in a cloud with a black crayon, and was entirely confused because the darkest clouds I ever saw were gray. At that moment I learned two things. First and foremost, adults lie and should not be trusted. Second, it was important to become one as soon as possible so I could make up whatever I wanted.
 
My coloring skills at age five were amazing (I'm positive yours were as well). I scribbled indecipherable objects using random motions, most likely drawing things I shouldn’t. However, one day my mother sat down and colored with me. Her ability to color inside the lines in only one direction baffled me. The page was so neat and clean when she was finished. I then realized my talent (though amazing) could be advanced much further than what I had previously imagined.
 
I never told my Mother how impressed I was with her crayon handling skills, but the memory is strong. The coloring lesson she unknowingly taught was simple, yet contained one of the most important life lessons I would learn: there will always be infinite room for improvement.
 
Later, at age twelve, I borrowed one of my younger brother’s illustrated books for art class and drew Franklin the turtle with Prismacolor pencils. The pencils gave the finished drawing a poster-like feel which was amazed me. When I took it home my dog, Simba liked it so well that he marked it as his own territory. Needless to say, I no longer had use for this soaking wet image of Franklin which, at the time, was the best thing I had ever created.
 
After that, I copied a few more images from Disney books, and my sister drew a couple eventually. I thought everyone could draw like this because she was naturally good at pencil work. Throughout junior high school I continually admired the older advanced art students. I wished to become artistic enough for advanced art courses, but believed it was out of my league.
 
When I was fourteen, my high school schedule finally allowed me an opportunity to take an art course. During the first semester my instructor approached me and said “Hey, why don’t you go sit in the back room, next to Mike. He thinks he's the best artist in here.” The back room was where all the advanced art students hung out. So I caught my dropping jaw, gathered my materials, and walked to the back room. From that moment forward I was one of the few chosen to freely explore my artistic abilities in the tiny "advanced art" room.

The advanced art instructor gave us special projects, a lot of free reign, and pushed our skills to college levels. Eventually I attended advanced art courses three hours each day and won many ribbons at annual art fairs. I was obsessed with art, and even displayed my work in one of my senior pictures. I proudly exhibited the images at my graduation party as well, and piled them in my bedroom afterward.
 
Soon after the party our roof sprung a leak and all of the images I had worked so hard to create were ruined from a heavy rain. My entire high school art history was gone, just like Franklin the turtle. I was shocked, disappointed, and horribly turned away from art. I'm not sure how long I cried, maybe two entire days. My young mind assumed a higher power did not want me to pursue a career utilizing my artistic ability.
 
Ultimately I realized the leak was merely a life lesson about the why one should not obsess over anything materialistic. Also I realized my time to connect with art is limited. I decided this gift should be shared with others so that they may enjoy it as well (or ruin it, to each their own). Of course it took many years to understand, and at the time I was still distraught about the desecrated work.
 
I decided to attend a community college with a scholarship I received for high test scores. Several aptitude tests steered me toward engineering, so I took a few courses in that direction. Even though my grandfather had been an electrical engineer for quite some time, I was not certain about what general engineering entailed. It turns out no two engineers are cut from the same mold.
 
One class taught me to draft letters and numbers which was a fun concept. I never knew a hand written five could look perfect, nor did I know it required four pencil strokes. CAD class came naturally to me as I loved computers, but overall engineering seemed to involve a lot of mathematics. I enjoyed everything I learned, but calculus is kind of like the opposite of art, and in time I grew bored because I could not visually display my creativity.
 
So I waited tables at a country club, happily at first, but after several years I felt compelled to do something more creative with my life. At age 23 I painted a bit, I drew a bit. I was commissioned to draw a large portrait of three children for a member of the club where I waited tables. Upon delivering the drawing huge smiles lighting their faces told me it was a job well done. They liked it so well that they gave me an extra 25% commission and I was floored.
 
My boyfriend (now husband) suggested making a career of fine art since he and others liked my work so well. In turn I spent so much time drawing and painting that my kitty developed deep feelings of jealousy. Once I hung a painting on the wall she would fling herself into the air and plant her claws into it until she pulled it down.
 
Eventually the kitty reminded me of the leak, and I decided something was simply trying to redirect my artistic career. So, as usual I went back to school. I have always loved games and I knew with all my heart that game design was for me. In fact I told everyone it was what I wanted to do, and they agreed it suited me very well.
 
Finally, I went through three years of college. Games have always been a huge part of my life, and I still feel it would be wonderful to project game ideas into game worlds. However, the volatile lifestyle and unusual deadlines would take me away from my husband. For a third time I left college while my husband continued his degree.
 
I wanted a career that would allow me to cook dinner every night and stay home or travel on weekends. I needed a career that suited my abilities, and kept me reeling with creativity. So I rolled up my sleeves and began sporadically painting again, this time on a daily basis. Good paintings, bad paintings, it didn't matter as I just wanted to learn.
 
I delved into books and watched videos, training myself on all the techniques I had not yet mastered. I bought tons of canvas, paint, brushes, mediums, and practiced until my hands hurt. I taught myself to gallery wrap, and asked professional artists what the next steps were. With their help, and constant reinforcement from friends and family I was on my way.

Art has always been a part of my life, but now I have direction, purpose, and concrete ideas. I once read that a pro is someone who practices something for ten thousand hours, and a guru has studied for ten thousand more. I knew if I practiced anything for twenty thousand hours I could master it as well, and my journey continues one hour at a time.

Inspiration

This page contains many influences that contributed to my artistic evolution. Some of them are current favorites and others I once loved or learned from. It offers insight into my personal life and continues to evolve as I do.

Humans

My husband who gave me the ability to break the box, put it together again, and drop a fresh coat of paint on top. Without him I would not believe in the possibility of everything. I truly am the luckiest woman in the world to have found a kindred soul whom I relate so deeply to.

Close Family and Friends pushed me to develop and pursuit my artistic career. Without them I would not be who I am today, and for that I am infinitely grateful.

My Grandfather who said "Tell me something that is true" and continually explicated the impossibility of doing so.

Mrs. Sheffield, my high school art teacher who taught me to explore a variety of media, and that anything can be solved through creative thought.

Artists

Robert Chang - continues to give back to the world and encourage others to become artists regardless of ability. When I was deciding what to do with my life I would refer to his website often and admire his work. I like that he offers readers insight into his life beyond art, and that is what encouraged me to create this revealing list for the few interested.

Feng Zhu - encourages new artists to go forth even if they don't know what they are doing at first.

Jackson Pollock - invented the drip. "Invented" lol...But really he was reclusive, brilliant, and drunk. What's not to love about his insanity?

Pablo Picasso - because he could easily create realism, but instead he chose to create abstract works.

Osnat - continually dominating her market because of beautiful colors, vast imagination, and astounding productivity.

Leonardo Da Vinci - the engineer.

Salvador Dali - (in his early years) who challenged reality with full attention to perspective.

Architechts

Whoever made pyramids. Very stylish, sleek, and minimal... until we walk inside and the maze is discovered...oooh the creativity.

Antonio Gaudi - In college I randomly chose this guy for a research project. His life accomplishments were amazing and his style was stunning, innovative, and complex.

Frank Lloyd Wright - My sister introduced me to his work when I was younger and I was hooked. His clean lines and knowledge of his craft are an astounding combination.

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Musicians

Maynard James Keenan - Anything he does is magic.

John Werkema - An old friend who subtly taught me money doesn't matter, but love does. He still composes and produces his own music, exemplifying true talent. I look forward to seeing his future endeavors.

Chino Moreno - Who just goes for it.

Authors

Hwee Yong Jang - The Gaia Project 2012: The Earth's Coming Great Changes - I read this book after an instructor read a story I wrote and recommended it. My story happened to be quite similar to the ideas presented in the book which I found a bit funny. I read the book as a sci-fi read, nothing more or less. What I love about it is that the author makes up this story, and then says (and I'm paraphrasing here) "Meh, if none of this happens, it's whatever. p.s. crop circles are from alienz."

A New Earth - Eckhart Tolle. Go with the flow, nowhere else to go...

The War of Art - Steven Pressfield - Ideal positive reinforcement.

(please send me your recommendations for good reads).

Other Humans

Aurelius, Darwin, Einstein, Galileo, Tesla, H.G. Wells, Jillian Michaels, Katt Williams, Christopher Nolan, Will Smith

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Media

Films

There are so many amazing movies that have been created, I feel we are a blessed species to be able to take them in and enjoy them. Film is one of my favorite topics, and these are a few I love... once I started the list I realized hundreds could be added... more and more arrive each year.

Primer (2004) - Time travel and Indy, what's not to love?

The Time Traveler's Wife (2009) - Time travel!

Donnie Darko (2001) - Wormholes.

The Time Machine (2002) - Can you tell I enjoy time travel concepts yet?

A Sound of Thunder (2005) - The concept of this time travel movie is grand (screw IMDB ratings). People make mistakes, and perfection is an asymptote (both concepts are taught in this film). The story is incredible, and one to check out if your mind can get past the indy details.

Pandorum (2009) - A movie that commands the viewers attention. Beautiful concept, lovely dark cinematography.

eXistenZ (1999) - Concepts > acting. Plug me in, upload me, download me, whatever you have to do - I'm still in the game.

The Cube trilogy (1997-2004) - Terrifyingly glorious. Check out Cube Zero last (don't worry, it won't ruin anything). Hypercube is not that great but it is meant to be seen second, and Cube first.

The Prestige (2006)- Some of my favorite actors and actresses and my favorite director combined with an outstanding story.

Dawn of the Dead (2004) - Zombies. Brainz. Cinematography.

Visioneers (2008) - A new way to say hello. Much like Equilibrium, but better because Zach G. is in it.

Toy Story series (1995 and beyond) - I will always enjoy the power of animation and this series is one
of the finest Pixar has to offer.

The Lion King (1993) - What artist doesn't love this truly beautiful animation?

Idiocracy (2006) - Another movie with a beautiful concept. Then they added quotable humor.

Grandma's Boy (2006) - Because game design will always be something I love and admire.

The Core (2003) - Purge...Purge... "Okay, I know these look like computers... Totally not."

Moon (2009)- I love a great movie about people going insane.

Se7en (1995) - Mmm seven deadly sins. Sloth really sticks with you...

Avatar (2009) - The innovation that went into creating the animated characters in this ground breaking film impressed me. Also I loved Fern Gully as a child, and the influence of that movie and some games I played is clear.

Also anything Will Smith acted in. Independence Day, Seven Pounds, The Pursuit of Happyness, Hitch, MIB, The Legend of Bagger Vance, Bad Boys...His filmography continues to impress. I really feel like his agent must be the best in the business.

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Television

At one point I was entirely anti watching television because movies surpassed them in detail and quality. In addition I'm addicted to video games and dislike sitting around not using my brain. I'm not into sitcoms (with all that obnoxious laughter overlay) and doctor or crime shows... Then I watched the Lost series. At that time I realized, like movies, TV could be viewed without attention to acting and lack of detail caused by short development periods.

I thought for a while about how TV show editors and writers had to comprise hours and hours to complete a series, and they had only one year to do so. I compared them to movies and realized they have a much more difficult production period, and gained a new respect for them. Shows now are like extended movies, and I really love and appreciate their evolution.

It occurred to me that everyone involved in making a TV show has to be much more complex, dedicated and level headed to produce the level of quality we see in television programming today. I could not be happier that I gave TV another chance since it has improved so much in the past decade.

The Walking Dead - My favorite show on TV. A-ma-zing! I love zombies and apocalyptic scenarios.

Terra Nova - It's like they made an entire series out of the movie "Sounds of Thunder." Time travel, sci-fi, not too much drama...just love it.

Sealab 2021 - R.I.P. Harry Goz who played a great part in making this the best adult cartoon of all time.

Survivor - What's not to love about placing humans in real life situations that might make them insane?

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Games

Legend of Zelda (original NES version) - When I was a kid I taped four sheets of paper together and walked through the world drawing out every nook and cranny with colored pencils. I later found a different version of the game that included a map with the purchase. When I went to school for game art and design this made me think I might be a good level designer.

Tetris - ♥

All Super Mario Bros. - What’s not to love about Nintendo and this entire series?

Warcraft 3 - This game taught me how to micromanage life and is my favorite game of all time. I loved the heroes. I loved creeping around and leveling up then walking into a base with my level 5 heroes and aura toting army. I loved when I got lucky and found the enemy only to later be called a map hacker. I loved the trash talking and relaxing custom games.

Gem TD - created for Wc3…an amazing custom game, Bryan K (who made this map) and Zoator were my favorite custom game designers for Wc3... often I meet others in Sc2 wondering whatever happened to these two....

World of Warcraft - This game was amazing for a long period of time. Beautiful, hand painted textures contributed to it's eye candy, but the game play was also quite fun.

Call of Duty series- I mostly enjoyed CoD 4…to prestige was a cool idea.

Starcraft 2 - I wish I played the first one, but this was and is still an incredible game. I just wish everyone could afford a computer that could handle the meaty graphics and hundreds upon hundreds of units on the screen at once.

Minecraft - This is a revolutionary indy game. Kudos to Mojang for making a game for artists, tinkerers, and explorers. I can't wait to see where this goes in 10...20 years. So many games have already taken the ideas presented here... Where will the game industry go from here? It's just one more game proving graphics are not as important as gameplay and community.

Geometry Wars series – What a rush. This game was great on the 360 and the Wii (love unlocking levels and the little green explosive circles).

Star Wars: The Old Republic - I love the stories and emotions connected to playing this game, and target audience. I never felt more like the designers had me personally in mind while enjoying a story line. One day they will learn that Blizzard's success is derived by identifying and solving game threatening bug issues quickly.

Braid - A game that took an idea and made it more brilliant than it already was. Also - yay puzzles.

Fable 2 - I just loved the expansive feeling of the world, evolution of the character, and textures.

Burnout Paradise - I never played the older versions so I don’t know what I missed, but I loved this one for the clean mechanics and alternate controller setup. Stopping at a red light and racing, leveling up your license, and intuitive play just made outstanding fun for me. I like a game that is completable.

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Pinball

LotR - I wasn’t into the movies, but I loved the pinball table. Destroy the Ring and clean cut multiball goals in addition to gifts from the elves made this an all-around win. I just wish the parts weren’t as fragile since I broke my fair share of figurines in a number of locations.

South Park - This was just simple to play making me enjoy it more.

Simpsons - The couch was so hard to get, but overall this table is classic fun.

Monopoly - Oh my, what a great game.

Austin Powers  - I loved the center shot. It was tough to obtain but never screwed you over like the lotr balrog shot could.

Table Top Games

Catan - good online too, such an easy game to pick up and play or teach a friend.

Dominion - I only had to play this one to adore it.

Mille Bornes - How I miss play.games.com for this and painted Yahtzee..two enjoyed very much by my husband and me… not to mention monopoly.

Euchre - I had a lot of fun playing this as a kid with my mom, sister, and grandma. I really appreciated my mom never "letting" us win.

Songs

Besides anything by Maynard (especially Puscifer)... I love a variety of music, here are a few I've been drilling into my head lately...or used to really enjoy...

The Cult - Painted on My Heart. So many reasons to love the lyrics.

Awolnation - Sail. The video keeps it real. Oh noes alienz!

Plain White T's - Hey there Delilah. Luckily the true story behind it keeps us on the brink of emotional sanity and doesn't push us over the edge... However if the song was truly dedicated to one girl he loved and he had to be apart while he was on tour I think we would all melt with gushiness (or vomit).

Quotes

" I believe in intuition and inspiration. Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited, whereas imagination embraces the entire world, stimulating progress, giving birth to evolution. It is, strictly speaking, a real factor in scientific research." - Einstein

"...We live but for a moment" - Aurelius

"Deeds make people." - Leibniz

"I have no fears about making changes, destroying the image, etc. because the painting has a life of its own. I try to let it come through. It is only when I lose contact with the painting that the result is a mess." - Pollock

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Places

When I was 11 my mom took my sister, brother and I across the country from Oregon to Michigan and back. It was an amazing three week journey. During the trip we saw the following:

Northern California - I always wanted to see the Sequoias, and they were so epic I would love to see them again.

Yellowstone Natl. Park - What an amazing place, we were stunned by all of the burnt trees from the 1988 wildfire, otherwise just gorgeous.

Old Faithful - I love geysers.

Devil's tower - I love rocks too.

Badlands National Park - W-o-w. Everywhere you look there is a beautiful photo waiting to be taken.

Mount Rushmore - So tiny in person... Bear Country U.S.A. down the road and the cave there were more interesting to me then, but looking back it was really awesome to see the mountain and I wish I were older to appreciate it more.

My grandpa and uncle took my sister and me out on the ocean to go deep sea fishing. What a memorable adventure! I was falling over the rest of the night after crashing into waves all day.

When I was 15 my grandma took me to California (to visit family). One night we had a memorable talk on the front porch where she divulged some information that she had never told anyone. She taught me two things back then: farting is a natural bodily function and family can be your best friends. Later she taught me that a stable life is the one to stick with. During that trip we went a few places:

Disney Land - Club 33 was the coolest thing about this specific trip, and I wish I was older so I could enjoy all that amazing seafood they were serving up.

Universal Studios - Jamie Lee Curtis walked out to greet the tour bus while filming Halloween H2O, then went back into the studio and brought out the man in the mask...

Knott's Berry Farm - Cute little place to get preserves or enjoy a small roller coaster.

Caves I visited so far (I wish to experience many more):

Mammoth Caves - I only toured one small 45 minute cave, but it was great!

Luray Caverns and Skyline Caverns - Very cool finds in Virginia. Skyline Caverns have the largest known anthodite on earth - neat!

In addition I've been to a little over half of the United States, but never outside the country (besides Canada/Mexico).

I enjoy theme parks like Cedar Point which I visited many times.

I also visited Niagara Falls, the Great Falls National Park, Mackinac Island, various Great Lakes, and love a great haunted attraction.

Concepts (and other stuff I dig)

Hey did you know I like time travel? It's true. Neat topic.
Philosophy - Parallel dimensions - Infinity - Eternity (totally different from infinite stuff)
Creation - Experiments- Space - Stars - Universes - Planets
Zombies - Imagination - Dreams - Epidemics - Apocalyptic Events - Explosions
Mountaing Biking - Hiking - Spelunking - Cooking - Organic Food

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Material List