A Purposeful Project & Other July Happenings

Checking in

Hi friends!

I hope everyone is having a good summer and that you have found something to do with good people to enjoy it with.

I'm incredibly grateful to receive your summer updates and love seeing the super fun family and friends' pictures. Everyone seems to be growing up so fast!

We have been steady at the Amanda James Gallery and I am working on several interesting projects.

Art With A Purpose

I have been making more of an effort to limit my time on social media and that seems to ease my restlessness. I am finding that I crave more one-on-one connections and I seem to be searching for meaningful and stimulating outings. This past weekend we toured the Panther Ridge Conservation, a private nonprofit sanctuary caring for abandoned, rescued, and unwanted big cats located in Loxahatchee, Florida.

Most of you know I love BIG Cat's and often use their images in my work. I think there is so much to gain from observing and learning about these magnificent creatures. Several years ago I created a few big cat platters and donated a percentage of the proceeds to a local sanctuary. This summer I am doing a similar project but am focusing on specific portraits of the cats that I have met at Panther Ridge and again I will be donating a portion of my sales. I have decided to circle back to this project because it has purpose and meaning for me.

I seem to not only be craving meaningful connections in my relations but also in melding meaning and purpose in the art I create. All around I see more and more artists creating artworks with a conscience and I applaud their efforts to do some good in the world. My goal in focusing and creating a body of work inspired by these cats is to raise awareness and educate more people on the ethical treatment of animals. Each one of these big cats I have met at the PRC has an outrageous story of perseverance and survival. My favorite big cat at the sanctuary is an Ocelot named "Toltec".

I’ve included some of Toltec’s journey from PRC’s website below:

"Toltec came to Panther Ridge from a life filled with misery. At one of his previous homes, he broke his left front leg and it was never set, so it is now deformed. He also had darted with Baytril (an antibiotic) that can cause tissue and nerve damage if done too often. Toltec now walks like a “drunken sailor” because he has nerve damage and muscle atrophy … if he tries to go too fast he loses control and falls over. He arrived wearing a very tight collar, which we managed to remove … that seemed to give him some immediate relief. He mostly stayed in his igloo and did not seem to want human interaction. Our intern, Scott, was determined to bring him out of his shell and try to improve his muscle strength."

If you’d like to read more about Toltec and his family, you can do so at the following link: pantherridge.org/big-cats/ocelots/

I am looking forward to this project and will keep you all posted on my progress. I will have a special place on my website for my creations. If you’d like to look at some of the big cat pieces I’ve already done, you can do so at this link here: amandajohnsonstudio.com/table-top/wild-ndej8-tyrb4

shows, shoes, and shifts

In the meanwhile, James and I are loving the new TV show Loki on Disney + and Hacks on HBO Max. I can’t say enough for the rejuvenating wonders of escaping into different worlds every week for new inspiration and entertainment.

Of course, sometimes different worlds meet! I’m genuinely amazed to see that two of my dresses have been featured on the new hit tv show Girls5eva on Peacock. I’d like to give a shoutout to costume designer Tina Nigro for her awesome work and for using my work in the show.

If you’d like to check out one of the pieces worn on the show, take a look at this page here: Midnight Queen Shift Dress

Before I draw this blog post to a close, I wanted to inform you that in order to make room for the new Museum Collection I’m clearing out with a super special sale on my current Coast & Koi signature brown label shoes on the site. If you’re looking to add new flair to your footwear, take a gander here: amandajohnsonstudio.com/shoes

To projects with a purpose, be they global or personal <3

- Amanda J.