Artist Spotlight: Amanda Burnett

With a passion for storytelling and illustration, Artist Amanda Burnett has found a way to capture the beauty and magic of a moment with her illustrations of brides, families, moms-to-be and more. By simply browsing her Etsy shop, Little Paper Clouds, you can see that Amanda takes tremendous care to lovingly recreate and preserve life’s little magic moments—the I do or goodnight kiss or joy-packed Tuesday evening spent walking the family dog. Today, she’s sharing a little more of her story with us.

OSH: Many of your pieces are inspired by the illustrations featured in vintage children’s books. What are some of your favorite books?

Amanda: Some of my favorite children’s books (so hard to pick as I have quite a collection!) are the ones that have little imaginary worlds. The Complete Adventures of Snugglepot and Cuddlepie by May Gibbs is a favorite since childhood, as I grew up exploring the Australian bush and could imagine these characters in a very real way. In particular the underwater scenes are just so imaginative and delightful to look at! The Golden Serpent by Walter Dean Myers, illustrated by Alice and Martin Provensen, has such a beautiful color palette and is one I look at often for inspiration. And finally, my pick for a current children’s book, Wild by Emily Hughes. It is amazing, and has such a lovely, retro feel. Emily is a very talented lady and I cant wait to see what she does next!

OSH: What’s your story? How did you begin creating your whimsical art?

Amanda: I have always loved to draw and create, but being a very shy kid, I lacked the drive it took to take my dream to the next level, and unfortunately I listened when people told me I shouldn’t be an artist, and to find a “real” job! It wasn’t until my husband persuaded me to get back in to it, that I fell in love again. I was really missing that creative outlet. I just graduated this year with a degree in Illustration, and I started creating whimsical art in my 2nd year. I had enrolled in a Fine Art degree, but I remember being frustrated at the large sized canvas they wanted me to paint. My visual diaries were filled with all these little characters and intimate little scenes, and I knew I needed to switch to illustration. I had reverted back to what I liked drawing as a kid! I was finally listening to what made me happy, and despite a persuasive talk from my painting teacher to stay, I made the switch. People responded well to what I was creating, despite the fact I was one of the only non-digital artists, but I was really happy for the first time in so long, I knew I made the right decision!

OSH: Can you tell us a story about a design you’ve created for a client that was particularly special? One that has stuck with you perhaps?

Amanda: I recently created a very special piece for a lovely bride to be, who wanted to recapture a trip to Iceland with her fiancé, where they travelled up Thrihnukagigur mountain, and saw Puffins! It was such a pleasure to create, and as it was a surprise gift for her fiancé on their wedding day. It was so fun to collaborate with her knowing what a special gift it was going to be.

OSH: What is your favorite line from a book?

Amanda: I just re-read Matilda by Roald Dahl again and I loved this quote: “If you have good thoughts they will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely.”