Meet Amanda, a super-talented illustrator whose combined love of art and archaeology is paving the way for our very first archaeology themed graphic novel…
We’re heading into new territory with our project in Morecambe Bay, producing an illustrated site diary for every day that we’re on site. To make this happen, we’ve joined forces with an awesome artist and archaeologist who’ll be on site with us every step of the way, drawing the action as it happens!
To whet your appetites, we’ve asked Amanda a few questions about herself and her work …
How did it all begin?
At school, I remember studying Tutankhamen and begging my parents to take me to see Roman and Greek exhibitions. I also loved cartoons and picture books, and wanted to emulate them.
But it was when I went to Japan as part of my MA in Japanese Studies that my passion for archaeology really took hold. I focused on Japanese art and archaeology, and their mounded tombs became the focus for my dissertation.
Tell us about your art
Finding work after my MA wasn’t easy, so I started selling my artwork and crafts at conventions, and was even approached by a production company in California to produce press gifts for the Golden Globes!
Later, I co-created my own web-comic, working on it for several years, and even launched a successful Kickstarter last year to support production of the first volume.
What inspires you?
My drawing style is graphic, colourful, and expressive. I admire artists who can capture a scene with colour, line, and their own style, like Hiroshi Yoshida, who is able to portray a moment in time and space, making it feel like you were there.
What made you want to incorporate archaeology with illustration?
I used to see my work in archaeology as purely academic, while my art and comics were more of a skill or hobby. Recently though, I’ve begun to apply my art to my studies, and now I see the past as the subject for my art. What I make of it may not be what someone else sees, but being able to inspire others to interpret, interact, and pick up a brush (or, in this case, a trowel) is an extremely fulfilling aspect for me.
What are you most looking forward to about illustrating Morecambe?
The project is important in so many ways: the context, the outreach, the process; it’s incredibly exciting! To be able to experience what DigVentures does, and meet everyone involved is a wonderful opportunity. I’ve been given the chance to lend my skills and experience to the project, and I can’t wait!
What next?
I would love for this to be the starting point for something bigger. Comics aren’t necessarily associated with archaeology, but that doesn’t have to be the case. Archaeologists are always explaining the past through words and figures, but a graphic sequence is just another medium for communicating archaeological interpretations. I want to develop my craft and voice, and I’m looking forward to feedback from viewers.
And what can we expect?
We’re going to create a unique story that jumps from the present dig, to the past. The most exciting part is that we don’t know what we’re going to find, so the sequence will evolve organically.
My style is different from others who illustrate archaeology. There are a handful of them out there, like John Swogger, but there should be more!
It’s wonderful that DigVentures is willing to help nurture the relationship between the art and the discipline.
