Amanda Smith, Printmaking

Artist Statement: Red Bay Lane

Moments etched in my memory feel as distinct as grooves on a plate. In this series, I recall core memories from my childhood. There are a few moments when I genuinely felt at peace, and they have shaped who I have become today. From the ages of four to nine I lived on Red Bay Lane in Chesapeake, Virginia with my sister and parents. As a kid, I found relationships easy; I did not have to put much effort into making them work unlike now. I used to think that growing up would be fun, full of freedom and new discovery. In a way I was right, but I did not account for the changes that came with the new experiences. At twenty-three, I wish I could go back to that time in my life that I took for granted and find the girl I once was. Currently, I am experiencing dilemmas in my family that have put strains on these relationships. I needed to be reminded of how I felt as a child and working through these fragments of my childhood brought out the joy I had almost forgotten about. Though I cannot control my current circumstances, spending time with each image has allowed me to relive the past. Revisiting memories that make me laugh has become a therapeutic experience leading to my building of healthy boundaries in life with both family and friends.