Amanda Nolan, a painter based in Chattanooga, Tennessee, creates works that delve into the enduring impressions of fleeting moments. Through her art, she examines how time shapes and reshapes memory, layering nostalgia with a delicate yet evocative hand. Painting intuitively, Amanda explores themes of stillness and transformation, inviting viewers to reflect on the complex interplay of presence and absence. Her ongoing series, Arrangements, reimagines flowers as poetic stand-ins for people, places, and memories. With a mastery of texture and composition, Amanda captures the fragility and impermanence of life, offering a contemplative window into the boundaries of recollection.
ConsiderBeyond: Tell us about your artistic approach and what ‘beautiful art’ means to you.
Amanda: My work is deeply rooted in intuition and memory. Each piece begins with a feeling or an impression rather than a fixed concept. I allow the painting to unfold organically, layering thin veils of paint before wiping parts away, a process that mirrors how time obscures and reveals our experiences. It’s a practice of discovery, where stillness and transformation coexist.
For me, “beautiful art” transcends surface aesthetics. It’s not about perfection but connection—something that resonates deeply, stirs an emotional response, and lingers in the mind. Beauty lies in authenticity, in the honesty of the work, even if it remains unresolved.
ConsiderBeyond: What emotions or thoughts do you hope to evoke in viewers when they encounter your art?
Amanda: I aim to create a space for quiet introspection. My hope is that viewers feel an emotional pause—a sense of familiarity tethered to something transient and elusive. I want my work to prompt reflection on the marks that experiences, relationships, and memories leave behind. Whether it’s the joy of connection or the ache of loss, I strive to evoke a sense of meaning, even in life’s inherent uncertainties.
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ConsiderBeyond: Flowers and plant life are central symbols in your work. Is there a specific type of flower that holds special meaning for you?
Amanda: I don’t anchor my work to any particular flower; instead, the blooms I paint are imagined—what I often call my “ghosts.” They are not bound by botanical accuracy but rather serve as vessels for emotion and memory. Flowers embody dualities that fascinate me: beauty and fragility, growth and decay, celebration and mourning.
It’s the arrangement, the context, and the mood of these flowers that carry significance. Each bloom becomes a metaphor—a stand-in for moments, feelings, or people—allowing the viewer to bring their own interpretations to the work.
ConsiderBeyond: What role does color play in your work? Are there palettes or combinations that resonate deeply with you?
Amanda: Color is an integral language in my practice. It defines form and evokes memory, serving as both an emotional and narrative layer. Soft, muted tones often suggest nostalgia and introspection, while bursts of vibrant hues introduce tension or energy.
I’m particularly drawn to earthy palettes inspired by my grandmother’s garden—warm yellows, dusty pinks, muted blues, and deep greens. These colors carry a certain timelessness and impermanence, reflecting the natural cycles I explore in my work. The interplay of harmony and contrast within these tones mirrors the complexities of memory and emotion, giving depth to each painting.
ConsiderBeyond: If you could give one piece of advice to someone beginning their journey in the art world, what would it be?
Amanda: Focus on your process and let it guide you. The art world can be overwhelming, with its noise, trends, and expectations. Resist the urge to compare or conform. Instead, immerse yourself in experimentation and allow space for failure—it’s in those moments that authenticity emerges. Your voice will take shape through persistence and introspection. Show up, make, and trust in the evolution of your perspective.
ConsiderBeyond: If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why?
Amanda: If given the chance, I would love to collaborate with Lynette Yiadom-Boakye. Her work bridges the figurative and the abstract, creating emotionally resonant portraits that feel both timeless and enigmatic. I admire the narrative depth and psychological richness she brings to her subjects.
Our shared fascination with imagined figures—those that exist somewhere between memory and invention—feels like fertile ground for collaboration. Exploring how her dynamic, expressive figures could interact with my ethereal, introspective forms would be an incredible synthesis of styles and perspectives.
Amanda Nolan’s art is a meditative exploration of memory, emotion, and the inevitable passage of time. Through her poetic imagery and textured layers, she invites us to pause and reflect, offering a poignant reminder of the beauty found in life’s ephemeral moments. Her work lingers in the mind, much like the quiet resonance of a cherished memory.
Photos by
Amanda Nolan
