I am a designer, technician, and craftsman, but above all, I am an artist and I have always been fascinated with aesthetics and artistic expression. There are so many different types of artistic endeavors that I pursue and enjoy immensely in my life: graphic design, web design, jewelry design, sculpture, animation, digital art, painting, drawing, architecture, fiber arts, portraiture, and fine art photography. My training, exploration, and work in all of these subfields of art help me to have a deep understanding and appreciation of their commonalities: the art elements, principles of design, and most importantly, personal expression.

My bachelor's degree in Design strongly influences my work in terms of the visual impact: thoughtful attention to composition, color theory, and design principles, but I also believe very strongly that my art needs to communicate something on a conceptual and emotional level. My ultimate goal in my artwork is to create something that is compelling to other people. I have met a few artists whose work is so personal that it is strictly about process. I have heard them say that they do not care what other people think of their work. While I sometimes wish for their confidence, I know that I do not want to create art in a vacuum. To me, the process and products of art are all about a connection with other people. The older I get, the more I realize that we are all much more alike than we are different and when we "put ourselves out there" as artists and allow others to respond to our work, I believe we facilitate those connections that allow all of us to feel just a little more accepted and less alone.

I have also always had a very strong desire to share my knowledge and talents with others. In addition to being an artist, I have always been and will always be a teacher, in either a traditional or informal sense. I taught fine art photography and helped create the Envision program at Canyon Crest Academy in San Diego, California. I have also always been an avid student, pursuing as many educational opportunities as my schedule will allow and am currently pursuing an MFA in Photography the Academy of Art University. I strongly believe that the connections and collaborations that happen while learning and teaching are what keep me alive as an artist.

.::. Amanda Dahlgren .::.

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