Art and Creativity have been a constant theme throughout Amanda’s life. Alongside studying Social Psychology at university, she took art courses in painting, drawing, printmaking and later trained as a primary school teacher where she specialised in Art, Craft and Display and for a number of years taught in international schools in Singapore in Thailand. Once back in UK and with two small children, Amanda retrained in Interior design and began a career as a Property stylist, starting her own company, as well as lecturing Interior Design students at Solent Southampton University and working as a Colour consultant for Crown paints. It was during her three years living in Japan, however, that she developed a deeper interest in Textiles and began open learning studies with the Open College of the Arts, alongside taking classes in Japanese dyeing, printmaking, calligraphy and sumie ink painting.

On her return to UK, Amanda studied at West Dean College for a Foundation Diploma in Art and Design. Inspired by a workshop in Creative Tapestry Weaving, she started investigating different types of weaving and began researching and practising Japanese SAORI weaving, a form of weaving that is intuitive and organic, rather than relying on a pattern or design. This interest took Amanda back to Japan where she studied to become an authorised instructor of SAORI weaving in 2015, and the following year, opened one of just four SAORI Studios in the UK.

Amanda continues to practise and develop her unique style of weaving, whilst holding regular workshops, inspiring others to use their creativity to produce beautiful and individual woven cloth. Her work has been exhibited in Whitchurch Silk Mill, Rugby Museum and Art Gallery and she regularly exhibits at Warwickshire Open Studios, Art in the Park at Leamington Spa and at Compton Verney as part of The Textile Fair.

nb Amanda has now reverted to her maiden name of Amanda I’Anson