Accidental stains constantly inspire my creative side. In fact natural stains make up most of my pallet.  Pigments from tea, wine, coffee, and flowers actually appear in my work rather consistently. An assortment of found objects like puzzle pieces, obscure street metal, and fabrics show up on my canvas too.  The quest towards peace and sanity repeat in my work on a regular basis.  The concept of inexpensive and recycled materials drive my creative process. I enjoy inviting my community to contribute to the stains by spilling their drinks or putting their cigarettes out on my canvas. I orchestrate these accidents by directing where the spill or burn goes. In the end a search for answers and relaxation gives my work its foundation.

Recent Works:
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Biography

Amanda Page Stephens was raised by the art community in Norfolk, Virginia. In the summer of 1994, she attended a program held at the Maryland Institute College of Art and Design and the following fall, entered into Governor's School for the Arts.  Due to the guidance at Governor’s School, Amanda was accepted into eleven undergraduate art programs in the spring of 1995.  In January of 1996, she began her studies at the Art Institute of Chicago.  After studying in Chicago for three years, she returned to Tidewater in 1999. From that time until 2006, Amanda juggled school, family, and work at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Old Dominion University, and Tidewater Community College, earning her degree in May of 2006. Her art has appeared in two solo exhibitions as well as a variety of group shows. Her first major exhibited piece was shown in 1995 in the Irene Leach exhibition held at the Chrysler Museum.  The sculpture, mixed media, and photography piece won her the recognition of being the youngest artist exhibited in the history of the show.  Amanda continues to be active in the Hampton Roads arts community through judging arts festivals and shows as well as teaching workshops on video and performance art.

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