Amanda Horvath

Hometown: Derbyshire

Based in: united kingdom

Amanda Horvath is a contemporary artist producing vibrant colourful and highly textured original paintings. After studying fine art painting and printmaking at Sheffield Hallam University, where she achieved a B A Hons (1st class) Amanda subsequently lectured in colleges. She now practices full time as an artist from her studio in the Peak District where she lives with her husband.
“Painting is a response to the beautiful landscape around me, I attempt to capture the luminosity of light rays pouring through trees, the spirit of the forest and the quiet tranquillity of these peaceful places. Moved by the ethereal light filtering through leaves in woodlands and dramatic contrasting shadows. My inspiration begins with my walks through the beautiful Peak District where I live close to the natural world. I love every season each having it's own beauty. Spring is full of optimism, joy and woodland flowers, with delicate scents on the breeze and new soft green buds springing in to life. Summer is warm and leafy with the sounds of bubbling streams rippling through the forest and sun rays creating dappled light and shadows. Autumn is full of glorious colour, like a symphony that reaches a crescendo of beauty as nature moves towards sleep with tones of amber, gold and cherry red. Winter is a time of chilly blues and quiet snow covered woods with glinting sunlight, pale lilac shadows and cadmium orange light. When darkness falls early in the afternoon we are left with dark blue tones and moon shadows. I have a passion for expressing nature in beautiful colours, whilst imparting a meditative calm. This affinity with nature has grown from early childhood and my past experiences."
Working from observation of nature Amanda gathers visual information with a sketchbook or camera and often begins a canvas en plein air, finishing these preliminary pieces in her studio. Working expressively in acrylics or oils, often with a palette knife or other mark making techniques she applies layer upon layer until the painting reaches a natural conclusion, forming contemporary paintings that lie somewhere between abstraction and realism. Her paintings have found homes with private collectors worldwide.

Amanda Horvath In The Studio

"Painting is always better with a little serendipity."

More About Amanda Horvath

Question Icon What inspires you?

I am inspired by woodlands and sunlight light falling through leaves. Forests full of Spring flowers and Summer's leafy dappled light. The beautiful tones of Autumn amber, gold and cherry red. Winter's quiet snow covered woods with glinting sunlight and pale lilac shadows. I feel a deep connection to nature and this is evident in my work.

Question Icon Describe your creative process.

My creative process begins outdoors where I take my sketchbook and a camera. On my return to the studio the drawings and photographs are a starting point for my paintings, which develop intuitively from the memories and feelings of the place. I start with a wash of dark colour. Then I gradually build up layers of texture with a palette knife. Later in the painting I use brushes to paint the finer details and continue working until the painting reaches a natural conclusion.

Question Icon What are 3 words that best describe your work?