Amanda Barrett - Paint Out

Artist Amanda Barrett painting on Wells-next-the-Sea quayside at Paint Out Norfolk 2020. Photo © Katy Jon Went

Newmarket-based artist Amanda Barrett studied at the British Institute, Florence (Renaissance Art), Brighton Art College (Fine Art Painting) and Chelsea School of Art (Graphic Design). Having been a Graphic Designer and Illustrator in the UK and Australia she has spent the last half-decade painting more en plein air. Her art practice now focuses on observation, rhythm and stroke-making, and the use of colour in transparency and layers.

Awards | Art Gallery | Purchase

Amanda cites as influences:

“Huge thanks to the following: Trevor Osborne who kick-started me back into painting through his inspirational teaching, James Colman founder of Paint Out whose vision has inspired many to leave their studios and come outside and just paint!, Michael Carlo RA who showed me the art of not being precious through wood cutting and print making. And my father John Barrett who from the most disadvantaged start fought through the depression to achieve his ambition, he taught me to learn from setbacks, be true to your instincts and be up for the challenge whatever the outcome!”

Paint Out History

Paint Out Norfolk – Third prize (2020), selected and participated (2019)
Paint Out Norfolk Gardens – Judges Commendation (2019)
Paint Out Holt, selected and participated (2019)
Paint Out Wells, selected and participated (2019)
Paint Out Cambridge, selected and participated (2019)

Other Awards

IBBAS Society Plein Air Competition, 2nd place

Sample Gallery & Works for Sale

Artist Amanda Barrett, Lighthouse and Coloured Cottages, Winterton-on-Sea, Acrylic, 30x24cm, FOR SALE, £190
Artist Amanda Barrett, Lighthouse and Coloured Cottages, Winterton-on-Sea, Acrylic, 30x24cm, £190. Paint Out Norfolk 2020

Artist Amanda Barrett, Berney Arms Windmill and Breydon Water, Burgh Castle, Oil, 23x45cm, FOR SALE, £250
Artist Amanda Barrett, Berney Arms Windmill and Breydon Water, Burgh Castle, Oil, 23x45cm, £250. Paint Out Norfolk 2020

Artist Amanda Barrett, Boardwalk, Ferry House, Surlingham, Surlingham, Acrylic, 24x30cm, FOR SALE, £190
Artist Amanda Barrett, Boardwalk, Ferry House, Surlingham, Surlingham, Acrylic, 24x30cm, £190. Paint Out Norfolk 2020

Artist Amanda Barrett, 'Chimneys and Pipes', Elsing Hall, Dereham, Norfolk, Oil, 24x30cm, £180. Paint Out Gardens 2019
Artist Amanda Barrett, 'Chimneys and Pipes', Elsing Hall, Dereham, Norfolk, Oil, 24x30cm, £180. Paint Out Gardens 2019

Artist Amanda Barrett, 'Bananas at the Plantation', The Plantation Garden, Norwich, Oil, 24x30cm, £100. Paint Out Gardens 2019, Judge's Commendation
Artist Amanda Barrett, 'Bananas at the Plantation', The Plantation Garden, Norwich, Oil, 24x30cm, £100. Paint Out Gardens 2019, Judge's Commendation

Paint Out Norfolk 2020 saw some 50 artists take part in a Covid-distancing coast and countryside plein air art event. Well over 400 paintings were created and the three judges: Sarah Flynn (Sworders), Amanda Geitner (EAAF) and artist Bruer Tidman, had a tough choice to narrow them down to 3 main prizes and a personal commendation each. James and Katy also awarded two artists with the Paint Out Spirit of Plein Air prizes for their body of work produced during the event, consistency and quality. The prizes, as in 2019, went to a trio of female artists: First Prize – Susan Isaac, Second Prize – Mary Blue Brady, Third Prize – Amanda Barrett, and commendations to Alfie Carpenter, Jack Godfrey, Naomi Clements-Wright, Spirit of Plein Air awards to Paul Alcock, Sam Robbins.

First Prize

Artist Susan Isaac, Against the Waves (Winterton), Winterton-on-Sea, Oil, 50x65cm, £650. Paint Out Norfolk 2020 — Artist Susan Isaac, Against the Waves, Winterton-on-Sea, Oil, 50x65cm, FOR SALE

The well-deserved first prize was awarded to artist Susan Isaac for her ‘Against the Waves’ painted at Winterton-on-Sea on day two of the art competition. It’s a large 50x65cm oil painting juxtaposing and leading the eye between two big concrete blocks and the dunes, sea and sky at the east Norfolk beach.

It’s lovely to see the finished work and it winning top prize as Susan described its creation:

“I struggled for most of the day with the various elements to the composition, trying to balance scale and contrast with colours and tones, in order to give some sense of the intense blues and mauves of the hot summers day without being too literal. I eventually felt that I had done all I could to explain what lay in front of me and what I wanted to extrapolate from it.”

Second Prize

Artist Mary Blue Brady, Cultivating the Edge, Wiveton Down, Acrylic, 8x32in, £295. Paint Out Norfolk 2020 — Artist Mary Blue Brady, Cultivating the Edge, Wiveton Down, Acrylic, 8x32in

American artist, currently living on and loving the North Norfolk Coast, Mary Blue Brady, for her “Cultivating the Edge”, Wiveton Down, Acrylic, 8x32in. Mary weaves wet paint and words together in poetic landscapes.

Third Prize

Newmarket-based artist Amanda Barrett, studied at the British Institute, Florence (Renaissance Art), Brighton Art College (Fine Art Painting) and Chelsea School of Art (Graphic Design) and her “Berney Arms Windmill and Breydon Water”, Burgh Castle, Oil, 23x45cm is full of fluid strokes and layers.