Amanda Mathis

Amanda Wallace knew at an early age that she would become an artist. When she was 4, she drew a “mural” inside her bedroom closet, and three years later, while other kids set up lemonade stands, Amanda sold paintings in her Lafayette neighborhood.

“Painting brings me great joy, which in turn brings joy to those who view my work,” she says.

Because art came so naturally to her, she assumed everyone could paint and draw as she could. It took many years before she realized she had an ability many others did not. But after 30 years as an artist, Amanda believes she has a God-given gift and is grateful to be able to make a living at it.

Amanda’s style has been labeled “primitive,” but she prefers “educated primitive.” Though it has evolved and been refined over the years, it is the style that has come naturally to her since she was young.

“I am pleased that I have kept the ‘childlike’ qualities that are so greatly sought after in the art world,” she says. She pulls ideas from her memory and imagination and adds a touch of humor and whimsy.

Most of Amanda’s paintings depict rural Midwest scenes, but when she displays her art around the country she tries to include some scenes of where she is visiting.

“Amazingly, an Indiana scene can speak to someone from Maine or even Florida,” Amanda says. “My paintings reflect a rich Indiana heritage that has so encompassed my life experiences.”

Amanda purposefully does not paint facial features because she wants viewers to interact with the art by imagining what feelings and emotions the subjects may be displaying.

“Due to this unique aspect of my paintings, each viewer has a different and ever-changing concept of the scene being depicted,” she says.