Amanda Williams
Amanda Williams is a South Coast–based artist who grew up in the Batemans Bay region and trained at the National Art School, East Sydney, where she completed a Diploma of Fine Arts with a major in painting. While originally trained in oils, Amanda now works primarily in soft pastels, drawn to their painterly qualities and immediacy.
Her practice is inspired by the Australian landscape, particularly the South Coast, shaped by extensive painting trips with fellow artist John Sharman to locations including Broken Hill, the Flinders Ranges, Jindabyne and Kalbarri in Western Australia.
Alongside her landscape work, she also creates mixed‑media pieces that combine pastel and collage, often producing expressive, quirky florals.
Amanda’s work is grounded in close observation and a desire to capture atmosphere - the weight of a stormy sky, the sheen of wet sand, or the grounded strength of a gum tree. She has exhibited widely and received numerous awards at local art shows, including twice winning Best in Show at the Narooma Art Exhibition. Until recently, her works were also on long‑term display at the local crematorium, offering quiet moments of reflection for visitors.
In 1999, Amanda established Amandas of Mogo, an art supply store that became a creative hub for the region. Through the store she supported emerging and established artists, sponsored local art competitions, taught a wide range of creative classes, and continues to host visiting international tutors for mixed‑media workshops.