WHO'S NEWS
November 11, 2002
Amanda Dunbar, painter
TFK talks with the painter about her art and her work to improve school art programs
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Amanda Dunbar was 13 when she first picked up a paintbrush. Since then, the self-taught artist says her career 'just sort of exploded!' Today, Amanda, 19, earns up to $50,000 a piece for her oil paintings, which are sold in art galleries around the country. She says they 'are about simple pleasures in life,' like running through a sprinkler.
Amanda is using her colorful experience to inspire others. The Texan started Amanda's Angel Alliance to help improve art programs for kids. So far, the group has given away more than $250,000! Amanda also visits schools to bring kids her message: 'Use creative outlets for expression instead of using violence or negativity.'
TFK: When did your career in art begin?
Amanda: At age 13, I just took an after school art class. One thing just sort of lead to another and I ended up doing what I'm doing.
TFK: How much time do you spend painting?
Amanda: It really depends. I go to school almost full time at SMU in Dallas (I'm a Junior.) I'd say I spend about 40 hours a week on average painting.
TFK: What inspires you?
Amanda: My inspiration comes from everywhere. My paintings are about simple pleasures in life and not taking advantage of them. I try to pay attention to those little moments every day.
TFK: You've donated lots of money to art programs of kids. Can you tell me about that?
Amanda: That's part of the Angel Alliance, which is a charity I started. We provide the tools and the resources to help kids and their art programs. We really promote using creative outlets for positive expression instead of violence or negativity. We raise money to help school programs that are already in existence.
It's really sad what most school programs get for funding. It's about a dollar per child. It's ridiculous. You can't even buy crayons for that! A lot of proceeds from my paintings and the fundraisers we've done go to that. We also have a program called YAH, Youth Art for Harmony. That's actually where I go into schools and I work with the kids on using art as expression instead of other things. I talk about how I create art.
We just kind of paint together, hang out, and learn that we can use art as a means of expression: something that doesn't require words or extensive vocabulary. It's something very pure and transcends all cultures, genders and ages.
