Artist Amanda Azous presents an art installation of recent paintings, including new multimedia works belonging to the “Light Enlightens” Series at the San Juan Community Theater. There will be a reception on April 5, 5-8 p.m.

She was an analyst, a scientist and an engineer, but later in life, Amanda Azous began to paint transformational abstract expressions of nature, energy and emotions. “I find art to be very analytical but free of the often tediously strict protocols of science and engineering,” says Azous.

“Light Enlightens”, she explained, is inspired by the challenges of producing compelling compositions that capture the eye and using light patterns to further illuminate emotions and our connections to the world and each other as the viewer journeys through a work. “I strive for abstractions capable of carrying the imagination to unknown places…the mind to unthought thoughts. I find people see many different images in my work.”

The show includes four new illuminated paintings from the “Light Enlightens Series” that will be for sale as well as many of her large and small abstract contemporary oil paintings inspired by her studies of nature and human energy.

Living on islands most of her life, Azous inevitably finds nature is her dominant muse. Daily seeing the sky, water and land changes from her studio, spending time on the water, exploring the island’s special places, awareness of the changes wrought by human activities …these experiences frame and inspire her work. “I see the world as flowing energy. It is a model of the universe I identify with both as a scientist and as a spiritual person.”

Azous invites the community to meet her at a reception on Friday, April 5 from 5-8 p.m. at the San Juan Community Theater in conjunction with Friday Harbor’s First Friday April Art Walk. Drinks and appetizers will be available at no charge.

About Amanda Azous

Amanda Azous turned artist after an intense and rewarding science and engineering career. She co-authored and edited a textbook on wetlands and urbanization and co-wrote several peer-reviewed scientific articles. She worked as a consultant where she devoted her career to advising development that was sustainable and accounted for climate change.