Talent On Our Doorstep

HUB has commissioned local artist, Amanda Banham, to produce this issue’s wonderful, lovely, unusual? front cover. Amanda, a busy mother who has four children ranging from two to sixteen years old, is currently studying for a degree in illustration.

Selling her textile items sparked a return to education, ‘Even though people loved my work and bought everything I made, I didn’t feel quite qualified to sell anything as I had no formal training.’ Having previously completed a foundation course in textiles with the intention of going on to complete a degree in that subject, Amanda says, ‘The foundation course allowed me to see if I really could fit studying in with my busy family life. It also gave me the confidence to be creative, and made me realise that I actually wanted to pursue a degree in illustration and not textiles where I had originally started.’

Amanda works in many media and produces work ranging from collage to puppets and everything in between. She undertakes commissions to turn photos into stitch pictures, which is an alternative way of transforming much-loved photos into original pieces of art. One of Amanda’s many loves is puppet making; she will be running puppet workshops in the New Year.

To view more of Amanda’s work or to book a place on her puppet making courses go to www.bygoneveras.etsy.com  or contact her on bygonveras@gmail.com.