Amanda Edling's ever-changing hair color is only a glimpse of her ever-changing growth and depth of artistic talent. "Art is my way of escaping reality. I live in the work I make, it must be read or seen by others; otherwise it is only a lifeless thought that will die with the one who created it. Dreams untold can't outlive the dreamer." "Myshkin" is Amanda's 'play' name, as well as her signed artist name, taken from the Dostoyevsky novel The Idiot.

Amanda's artful skills began at an early age. Encouraged by her mother, whose own artistic talents helped pave the way for Amanda as she supplied the utensils--paper and pencils--and so Amanda began to draw and sketch. She had no prior schooling for art; however, Amanda was diligent in her pursuit of the arts and approached her high school at one point to be the artistic input on their yearbook. Always a professional, even then, Amanda carried her portfolio to all potential opportunities.

As most artists will do, Amanda worked a part-time bartending job to help with bills. When I asked about her 'Alice in Underland' series, Amanda believes it came from working that bartending job, being bored and reading Alice in Wonderland, and sketching a bit. The series is a 'Gothic Spoof' of Alice in precarious situations with Rabbit, Cheshire Cat and Bad Mr. Hatter. She liked it so much, she just kept drawing, taking it one step further each time.

Amanda's pen and ink series are all very impressive, such detail of shading. However, her oil paintings are even more impressive, showing the depths of her talent. Once enrolled and accepted at the Colorado University's Fine Arts and Literature Program, Amanda's true training began. In the fall of 2000 she had an opportunity to go to Paris to study. Ah, the artistic world of Paris. CU, unfortunately, did not offer an arts study program abroad, so a language program was what took her. While spending four and one-half months in the city, Amanda came across a Gallery with the works of Verline. Inspired by Verline and the European Classic style of oil paintings, Amanda has been in search of a teacher whom she may study with. CU has banned nearly all oil paints within its campus causing art students to paint elsewhere.

Her subject matters for her paintings are mythical and biblical. "The Death of Rahmeil," is based on the myth that Rahmeil is the original Angel of Mercy. It is believed that Rahmeil warned God that creating man would be a bad idea and that it would only lead to pain. Of course God didn't listen, and Michael was later honored with the title "Angel of Mercy." "Genesis 6:4" tells of a time when Angels fell in love with human women. The Nephifelians were the offspring of this union; they were large humans, almost giants, and it is believed that Goliath was the last of these offspring creations. The Angels were sent to Hell supposedly for their crimes of passion--as no one wants to believe there may be a prison in Heaven.

Amanda has managed in these past three years to have 20 shows and is continuing to make her mark on the Denver Art Scene. Last year she joined with an Artist Representative, who plans not to let off the steam of engaging the public with Amanda's fresh style of art. Amanda now has a studio and gallery space of her own in the warehouse district of Five Points and welcomes you to make an appointment with her to view more of her work, or commission her for other. Amanda is currently showing her work at Café Netherworld, located at 1278 Pennsylvania Street, 303-861-8638. You may also visit her on-line at www.whimsicalprincipal.com.

Thank you, Amanda, for the "Whimsical" insight into your artistic world. Here's to seeing you along the Art Circuit. --W. L. Pitton

photos of Amanda Edling's art by Terry Shapiro

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