Mad Little Artist

Hello, I am Amanda Hayler, an eclectic artist who enjoys creating with different art media and subject matter, and creating imagery that is joyful and lighthearted. I live in Stranraer, a town in Dumfries and Galloway, the most south western corner of Scotland. Although art has always been an important part of my life, it was a diagnosis of cancer a few years ago that not only led me to use art as a form of therapy, but also re-ignite my love of watercolour and pen. I love the unpredictability of watercolour, the way the water moves and goes where it wants to, and how the colour can change while it is drying. In contrast, the ink gives me the control to create the structure of the image, through various mark making, lines, and shapes. I love working in layers and will often use other media for additional elements. I am inspired by what is around me, the natural world and the built environment; Stranraer and the Rhins is abundantly rich in both and provides me with much stimulation for my work. My process begins with photography and sketches, looking for dynamic viewpoints and interesting details. I then go back to my studio, where I build on the drawings to incorporate my personal feelings about the subject matter.