“I HAVE A STRONG, EMOTIONAL CONNECTION TO SKIES,” says Amanda Houston.
“They affect my mood, energy level and overall well-being. Nowadays, it seems every-
body is looking down at their phones while I’m constantly looking up. The Pacific
Northwest’s air moisture provides such great atmosphere and spectacular skyscapes to
enjoy. For me, it’s the clouds that make sky scenes interesting, reflecting the colors of
the sun and creating a dramatic canopy of color over the landscape.” It’s a match made
in heaven for the pastelist who devotes a large part of her oeuvre to skyscapes. She has
only to look outside the windows of her home to see the vast vineyards, wheatfields,
blueberry farms and mountains of the Willamette Valley combined with stunning,
360-degree views of glorious skies.
Sunrise of Hope (at left) was inspired by the view from Houston’s kitchen window. Never
hesitant to alter compositions in order to create stronger designs, she says, “I simplified
the foreground and created a lake for interest, where, in truth, lies the city of Portland.”
In her painting, Another Beautiful Daybreak (below), Houston made up juts of land, ripples
and cloud reflections in the water to add more depth and interest. Cloud Burst (page 36)
was derived from a photo of a spectacular sky with an interstate filled with 18-wheelers
below. Instead of the interstate, the artist evokes intrigue and enchantment with a sliver
of distant land, dappled with lights that reflect on a tranquil bay.ABOVE
Sunrise of Hope
(16x20)
RIGHT
Another Beautiful
Daybreak (10x10)
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