Choosing the Light, 20” x 16”

Acrylic on Wood Panel. 2024

"This painting began with a layer of darker colours which felt cathartic to use to express my uncomfortable feelings at the time. Although cathartic to express, those were feelings I did not want to look at it, I wanted to wash them away so I did. I painted a few layers of white overtop the darker layer. This created a new canvas to start on but with the original texture still visible. Now it felt like the perfect place to start as it still had the original elements of the uncomfortable feelings but they now felt in the past, they felt healed and I could choose the light and continue the painting. I wanted it to feel soft yet grounded and peaceful. It feels like the full emotional story and represents the beauty that comes from expressing your emotions, self honesty and doing the work to move forward to choose the best way forward for yourself."

Toronto-based abstract intuitive painter Amanda Wand uses art as a way to navigate the many complex emotions of our world. Through her work, the artist explores concepts of connectivity, identity, and self-worth.