Amanda Barrett she/her

based in Peterborough/Nogojiwanong, Ontario, Canada

Though I consider myself first and foremost a painter, I’m typically happy to be creating in whatever form is available to me.

In the spring there is nothing I want more than to get my hands into the earth and garden.

In the fall I tend to spend more time writing.

Right now, my day job consumes most of my energy. Tattooing is intense; it takes a lot of mental and physical energy, and control. It’s exhausting, quite frankly. But incredibly rewarding.

The social element might be the most fulfilling part of tattooing, which is something that caught me by surprise. As an introvert, I often find people and social interactions overwhelming, however, the process of tattooing is a different game.

One-on-one.

Intimate.

And built on trust.

There are a lot of things that happen to and with our bodies which we have no control over. But a tattoo is an opportunity to claim ownership of oneself, and take back some control. It is a collaboration between artist and client. And the experience - the process and the moment - can be as meaningful as the outcome.

It’s inspiring, intriguing, and so rewarding.

Moving forward as an artist means finding a happy medium and balance: something and some place that allows me to combine my creative outlets, focusing in on the experience of the thing as much as the artwork that comes out of it.

Curriculum Vitae

Education

2016                Bachelor of Fine Arts Drawing and Painting (Thesis) Major, with Ontario College of Art and Design University (OCAD University)  

2010                Foundations in Art and design Diploma with Honours, with Durham College

Exhibitions

2016                8th Annual Mercedes-Benz Financial Services Experiencing Perspectives (group exhibition, in partnership with OCAD University)

2016                Westaim Corporation group exhibition curated by Sagan MacIsaac

2016                101st Graduate Exhibition (group): OCAD University

2010                Clarington Town Hall Feature (solo) (through the Visual Arts Centre of Clarington)

2010                Durham College Graduating Exhibition (group) at Station Gallery Whitby

2010                Stairs Project (solo) feature during ‘Piece by Piece’ Judith Tinkl exhibition at the Visual Arts Centre of Clarington

Work/Gallery Experience

2009-10           Part-time Gallery Assistant at the Visual Arts Centre of Clarington

2008-09           Full-time Summer Camp Counsellor at the Visual Arts Centre of Clarington (children’s full-day programs)

Talks / Workshops

June 2018        Workshop at Camp Fyrefly (Peterborough, Ontario)

Jan. 2016         Studio visit/talk at OCAD University to Durham College students led by Sean McQuay 

Publications

2016              Seek Forward: OCAD University Drawing & Painting Catalogue 2016

Committees

2018            Art Gallery of Peterborough's Outreach and Engagement Committee member (fall 2018)

2016            OCAD U Publication Committee member (catalog for Graduate Exhibition 101)  

Other

2017             Week-long residency with Spark Box Studio (June 12th - 18th)