I was a commercial photographer and graduate of Rochester Institute of Technology and had worked professionally for several years. I was well trained and used light effectively to best enhance my clients’ goals, be they portraits, stuffed animals for children’s catalogues or models holding cans of beer for highway billboards. Despite my professional proficiency, I was unsatisfied with a career that began as a twelve year old with an Instamatic Camera and by fifteen had me rising in the dark to capture the dawn light on the Schuylkill River. Throughout my work as a photographer I seemed to be trying to paint with a camera, using increasing complex arrangements of different colored lights to add depth and character to static forms. While my skills were sufficient for my professional career, I came to find the limitations of the photographic medium confining as a means of personal expression. So I continued the artistic search at PennsylvaniaAcademy of the Fine Arts and graduated from their certificate program in 2004.
The process of creating human forms and city environments in drawing, painting, sculpture and photography has consumed my artistic development throughout my life. Ihave learned the value of capturing not only the moment, but my vision of truth in that moment. As a painter, the exploration of different mediums of sculpture, drawing, printmaking and photography have helped me understand form and space, guiding me toward the true depth and illusion in my painting.
Now the search of how to create a photo and painting based on a feeling in the moment, is in progress; moments that transcend the question of who, what, and where into an isolated moment. I am determined to explore figure and structure with strokes of color that convey pure expression. The process of making a bold and decisive mark is a constant curiosity. I would like my painting to relay a fleeting second that fades into the next. If my paintings have the ability to make people appear to move through time rather than time happening to them. I find that it is most advantageous to work with live models not only to react to the figure but also to observe how the figure affects the surroundings to create a provocative interaction of shape, form, light and gesture.
I was born in Philadelphia. Throughout my early education I found my perceptions and expression were predominantly visual. I studied photography in Paris at Parsons, and continued at the Rochester Institute of Technology, graduating with honors with a concentration in photographic illustration. As a professional commercial photographer, I worked in Basil, Switzerland, London, New York City, and Philadelphia. While sufficient for my professional career, I came to find the limits of the photographic medium confining as a means of personal expression. I was accepted at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, and graduated with a degree in their certificate program.
The process of creating landscapes, urban environments and the human form through drawing, painting and photography has demonstrated to me the value of not only capturing the moment, but my interpretation of the truth in that moment. As a painter, the exploration of different mediums has helped me understand form, space and light. The discipline required by commercial photography have equipped me with the tools and the desire to explore expressiveness through bolder stokes of color, and to more successfully convey my personal vision.
My work has been exhibited in several venues in Philadelphia, Switzerland and NYC
1998 - 2004
Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia, PA
Awarded Certificate of Fine Arts in painting with minor in printmaking and sculpture.
1988 - 1990
Rochester Institute, Rochester, NY
Awarded Bachelor of Arts degree with honors.
Concentration in Photographic Illustration.
1988
Parsons College of Design, Paris, France
Semester Intensive in Photography.
1985 - 1988
Community College of Philadelphia, PA C
Awarded Associate of Science degree with honors.
Spring 2011 - present
Faces of a New China, Solo Show, Minima, Philadelphia, PA
2008-2011
American Society of Media Photographers, University of the Arts, Philadelphia, PA
2006 - 2014
Annual Juried Exhibition, Philadelphia Sketch Club Philadelphia, PA
2001-2005
Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia, PA
1994 - 2013
Amanda Stevenson Photo, Philadelphia, PA
Owner Commercial photography studio specializing in editorial and lifestyle. Providing creative consulting and imagery for stills and video.
2010-2011
Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA
Adjunct Teacher Advanced studio, Photography curriculum
1990 -1994
CIBA GIEGY Pharmaceutical Company, Basil, Switzerland
Staff Photographer, Produced environmental portraits and product photography for annual reports and advertising needs serving customers throughout Europe.
America the Beautiful, Lecturer, University of Delaware, Newark, DE
President, American Society of Media Photographers of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, 2005 - 2011
Board of Directors, Community College of Philadelphia Photography Department, Philadelphia, PA
Hosts Internship program for Philadelphia University, Drexel University, and Art Institute for Photography, Film, Graphic Design, Marketing and business majors.
Board member of Philadelphia Sketch Club
Union League of Philadelphia, President of Conley Jordan Club Table
The Racquet Club of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia Sketch Club, Philadelphia, PA
Enjoy kayaking, bicycling, rollerblading, skiing, travel, cooking, and painting.
