TL;DR
- Amanda Nolan is a painter based in Chattanooga, Tennessee, working with memory, stillness, and change.
- Her floral series Arrangements uses flowers as placeholders for people, places, and moments of significance.
- She builds surfaces through layering, excavating, and wiping out, letting ambiguity and clarity coexist.
- High-quality printing helps her offer reproductions without compromising the integrity of the originals.
Meet Amanda Nolan
Amanda Nolan is a painter based in Chattanooga, Tennessee. She earned her BFA in Painting and Drawing from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in 2020. Her first solo exhibition, Arrangements, took place in November 2022 at the artist-run gallery Wavelength Space in Chattanooga.
In addition to her studio practice, Amanda curates under the name souvenir (formerly Fine-drawn). Her debut exhibition as a curator, Places We Have Never Known, was held at Wavelength Space in spring 2022.
Amanda Nolan
Artist Statement
Everything leaves its mark. Moments, memories, the way light hits, a good day. There are things that cling to us. Lost things stay too, in their way. A face once familiar flits in and out, a muddied silhouette but no less important for its distortion.
Amanda’s work considers the uncertain areas of change, the relationship between stillness and progression. Using nostalgia as a vantage point, she paints both intuitively and from memory, using imagery as a conduit for what remains unseen: presence and absence, lingering and longing, ephemerality, and residual impression.
The Studio Guardians
In her ongoing body of work, Arrangements, flowers act as placeholders. They represent people, places, and memories of significance, while also marking passage. The series implies both celebration and mourning, pointing to an eternal return through change.
Her surfaces are worked through excavation, layering, and wiping out as a kind of searching tied to time. Things become signified while remaining indistinct. They are obscured, altered, and retrieved, but not necessarily in that order.
Because surface and material quality matter in this kind of work, artists often benefit from understanding how different papers translate texture and tone. If you’re comparing options, this guide helps: How to Choose the Right Paper and Canvas
The Interview
Can you tell us a bit about your journey as an artist? What sparked your interest in art?
I’ve known I was an artist from the beginning. There wasn’t really a time when I didn’t consider myself to be one.
Who are your biggest artistic influences, and how have they shaped your work?
I remember seeing J. M. W. Turner’s work for the first time, and it was incredibly impactful. His use of light and movement influences how I approach my own work.
Could you describe your creative process? How do you typically begin a new piece?
I’ve been painting my flowers for long enough that I can visualize them in different compositions before starting. I typically begin with a rough sketch to get the layout, then dive into the painting process.
What are some key tools or materials you use in your work and why are they important to you?
The most important thing for me is using quality materials. High-quality paints and canvas ensure the longevity of the work, and I don’t cut corners on those.
Where the Magic Happens
What has been the most challenging phase in your career? How did you overcome it?
Just getting started was probably the most challenging. Building a following and figuring out how to present myself professionally took time, but persistence paid off.
Can you share a particularly memorable moment in your artistic career?
I’ve worked hard over the years to build a following, but nothing beats seeing someone connect deeply with a piece of my art. That’s always special.
How do you balance the commercial aspects of being a professional artist with your creative process?
I have to remind myself that the running-a-business side is important, but it shouldn’t overshadow my creative flow. I structure my time carefully to maintain that balance.
What advice would you give to artists trying to gain more exposure for their work?
The most important thing you can do as a visual artist is to consistently show up, create, and share your work. Networking and maintaining a social presence help with exposure, too.
Heirloom XXVIII
How important is community to your work as an artist?
Artists support each other pretty fiercely, and that’s been my experience too. I’m part of a local art collective, and we share resources, opportunities, and advice.
What upcoming projects are you excited about?
I have some exhibitions in the works that I’ll be announcing soon. I’m also working on a new series that explores different textures in nature.
Where do you see your artistic journey taking you in the next five years?
I want to travel more, so I’m hoping to show my work internationally and collaborate with artists abroad.
Printing with The Stackhouse
How has working with The Stackhouse Printery impacted your work or opened new opportunities for you?
I was against offering prints for the longest time, but The Stackhouse has made the process easy and the quality is exceptional. It’s allowed me to reach a wider audience without compromising on quality.
What do you think about the role of technology, like high-quality art printing, in today’s art world?
It’s necessary, especially for artists making reproductions. High-quality printing gives us the ability to offer our work to more people while maintaining the integrity of the original.
If you’re new to printmaking terminology or deciding how to offer reproductions, this is a helpful baseline: What Is Giclée Printing?
Ready to offer museum-quality reproductions? Giclée Fine Art Prints
