But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
1 Corinthians 2:9
A Personal Worship Experience
Mixed-Media Oil Paintings
Once my vision is honed, the paintings begin with many options: mark-making, spray paint, written prophesy, bible verses transcribed into Hebrew, collage, acrylic inks, acrylic paints, graphite, charcoal, gold leaf — the list goes on. I love this part of the process. I know where the piece is headed and I'm choosing to embrace the process and simply trust. The next steps include applying translucent oil glazes, opaque oils, and sometimes oils mixed with cold wax, solid oil sticks, and pastels.
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While I work I'm spending time with the Holy Spirit — with worship music playing, singing, sometimes dancing, speaking my prayer language, praising, and just visiting with Father God. "Total immersion" describes the way I interact with my process, embracing every single step. It's more than simply painting — It's documenting a personal worship experience.
"Hope Will Arise"
Mixed media oil on gallery wrapped canvas
24 x 36 inches
To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.
Isaiah 61:3 KJV
Why I Create
A Pivotal Life Moment That Changed Everything
My personal art journey began in 2009, while I was living in Alaska (I lived there for over 20 years). I was diagnosed with aggressive stage 4 breast cancer. It had metastasized onto my sternum, one of my ribs, and down into my lymphatic system. The time came to have a radical mastectomy, meaning they also removed my pectoral muscle and 20 lymph nodes, and as I was lying in bed and contemplating the radiation and chemotherapy that would follow I asked, “Jesus? Please come dwell within me and help me through this.” I was not familiar with His Holy Spirit at the time. All I knew is I wanted to feel His presence within me always. He began to send me dreams and visions. And, most of all, He healed me!
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By the second PET scan, there was no evidence of disease. The doctors thought they were buying me a little more time with all the chemo and radiation they prescribed, but the Lord had already healed me. One year passed. Two years passed. Then Five. Now, it’s been over 14 years as I write this. I still follow up with oncologists, like a good steward, but by His stripes, I am healed!
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More Than Just Healed
There are places in the original text of the bible where the word SOZO is translated into the English word “healed”. Matthew 9:22 – Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, “Daughter, take courage! Your faith has made you well (sozo)!” And the woman was healed at that moment.
Strong’s Concordance defines the meaning of the Greek word ‘sozo’ as follows: to save, deliver, make whole or restore, heal, be whole. The word ‘sozo’, or one of its grammatical forms, is used over 100 times in the New Testament, especially whenever Jesus heals someone, be it physically, emotionally, or spiritually. Sozo, then, is the ‘full package of salvation, healing, and deliverance that Jesus came to give people!
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When I received the Holy Spirit that night, I was more than just healed. I was made SOZO! My physical healing came first, but the rest of me has taken years to heal, through cooperation with the Lord. Spiritual healing is the hardest, I think — at least it has been for me. It requires that you let go of people and things that are hurting you in order for God to be able to give you His best for you. It requires obedience and discipline. It requires learning to walk in the Kingdom of God and not the world’s way of doing things. It requires trust, and the currency of Heaven is FAITH!
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Creating with My Creator
With receiving His Holy Spirit and personal healing came a strong desire to make personal art again. It started with many hours at my drawing table in Alaska, visiting with God and just talking with Him while I made scratchboard engravings of birds and wildlife. The conversations were mostly my thanking Him for the beautiful, whimsical visions He gave me. The more I created, the more it flowed. It was like turning on a faucet and the flow became stronger and stronger. Soon the open faucet of creativity became an open fire hydrant. One of the beautiful things about artmaking is it takes vulnerability, courage, and self-acceptance. One of my mentors, Matt Tommey, says, “God isn’t looking for perfection. He’s looking for your YES!” He’s looking for you to be willing to show up, embrace the process, and trust His guidance. He’s looking for your FAITH.
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After more than 10 years of doing engravings, the Lord put on my heart to start painting. Painting with God is a liberating and beautiful experience in that it has taken my worship of Him to a new level. As I paint, I have praise music blasting and I am singing His praise, speaking my prayer language, dancing, and enjoying the entire process. It is pure bliss to co-labor with Him and watch the beauty unfold, and the cherry on top is a painting that documents the experience! I am amazed by what the Lord continues to do through me and the people He touches through my paintings — THIS is why I create. I know He healed me for a reason and I will continue this journey with Him forever!
"Seek His Presence"
Mixed media oil on gallery wrapped canvas
36 x 36 inches
Glory ye in His holy name; let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord. Seek the Lord and His strength, seek his face continually.
1 Chronicles 16:10-11 KJV
Art & Design Resumé
Amanda Cheatwood [Brannon] studied Visual Communications at the University of Alabama and completed her degree at the Art Institute of Atlanta. In 2020, she completed the Mastery Program with Milan Art Institute.
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Early in her career, while working as a graphic designer in Atlanta, Amanda worked on national accounts such as Days Inn, General Tire, General Electric, AT&T, and Turner Network Television’s Cartoon Network. It was a tremendous opportunity, which allowed her to quickly find national accounts to work on when she moved to Palo Alto, California in 1992.
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Amanda then accepted a position as Art Director for Alaska’s largest ad agency in. 1994 and then became Art Director for Alaska Magazine, until she decided to start her own graphic design business in 1996, creating award-winning designs for both large corporate accounts and smaller “mom and pop” accounts.
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In 2009, she began focusing her efforts on creating and sharing her artwork through galleries and through national product lines. She also teaches workshops and paints live, on-stage for church conferences and other events. It is with great pleasure that Amanda continues to share her art and life experience, and she hopes that viewers take with it a renewed sense of curiosity and joy.
The following is a partial clients who have worked with Amanda directly or through their agencies:
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Acer Computers
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Alaska Magazine
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Alaska Native Medical Center
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Alaska Railroad
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Alaska SeaLife Center
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Alaska State Council on the Arts
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Alaska USA Federal Credit Union
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Anchorage Convention and Visitors Bureau
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Anchorage Fur Rendezvous
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Anchorage Museum of History and Art
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Arco Alaska
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AT&T Alascom
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Baker Jennings Films
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Buckeye Plantation
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Chugach Electric
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Crystal Creek Lodge
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Days Inn
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E-MU Systems, Inc.
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Epicenter Press
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General Tire
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Graphic Arts Publishing Company
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Habitat Housewares
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Homer Brewing Company
- Homer, Alaska Chamber of Commerce
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Kobuk Coffee
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Kraft Foods
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Latitude Alaska
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Livingston Slone Architects
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Mango Teddy Bear Company
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NANA Regional Corporation
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Nirvair Singh Khalsa
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OTZ Telephone Cooperative
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Providence Children’s Hospital
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Pyramid Printing
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Red Oak Roasters
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Sigma Designs
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Sky Trekking Alaska
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Stone Soup Group
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Turner Network Television’s Cartoon Network
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United States Post Office
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University of Alaska Anchorage
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Wild Spruce Graphics
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Within The Wild Adventure Lodges
Solo and Group Art Exhibits
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March 2019 — Juried art show at Art Extravaganza, Webb School in Knoxville, Tennessee.
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November 2018 — Juried art show at The Art Prowl in Cookeville, Tennessee.
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March 2018 — Juried art show at Art Extravaganza, Webb School in Knoxville, Tennessee.
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November 2017 — Juried art show at The Art Prowl in Cookeville, Tennessee.
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March 2017 — Juried art show at Art Extravaganza, Webb School in Knoxville, Tennessee.
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November 2016 — Juried art show at The Art Prowl in Cookeville, Tennessee.
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April 2016 — Exhibit at Wild Birds Unlimited wholesale show in Indianapolis, Indiana.
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March 2016 — Juried art show at Art Extravaganza, Webb School in Knoxville, Tennessee.
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March 2015 — Solo show at Fireweed Gallery, Homer, Alaska
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December 2014 — Juried art show with Bad Girls of the North in Fairbanks, Alaska.
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November 2014 — Juried art show with Bad Girls of the North in Anchorage, Alaska.
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May 2014 — Solo show as the featured artist at the 2014 Shorebird Festival in Homer, Alaska.
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March 2014 — Juried art show with Bad Girls of the North in Anchorage, Alaska.
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December 2013 — Solo show at Stephan Fine Arts at Hotel Captain Cook, Anchorage, Alaska.
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November 2013 — Solo show at Terra Bella in Anchorage, Alaska.
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November 2013 — Juried art show with Bad Girls of the North in Anchorage, Alaska.
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September 2013 — Juried art show with Bad Girls of the North in Fairbanks, Alaska.
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March 2012 — Solo show at Stephan Fine Arts at Hotel Captain Cook, Anchorage, Alaska.
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November 2012 — Solo show at Stephan Fine Arts at Hotel Captain Cook, Anchorage, Alaska.
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October 2012 — Solo show at Girdwood Center for Visual Arts, Girdwood, Alaska
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November 2011 — Juried art show with Bad Girls of the North in Anchorage, Alaska.
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September 2011 — Juried art show with Bad Girls of the North in Fairbanks, Alaska.
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April 2011 — Solo show at L.E. Warford Gallery in Anchorage, Alaska.
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May 2010 — Group exhibit at the Spring Art Show in BP Atrium in Anchorage, Alaska.
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December 2009 — Group exhibit at the Holiday Art Show at BP Atrium in Anchorage, Alaska.