Amanda Hyatt grew up in the artistic environment of Eltham in the 1960's experiencing the general creative abundance of that era. Not until secondary school  did she come across the influence of the Heidelberg School through a most talented teacher/artist, Nancy Clifton, who encouraged her to appreciate all forms of art and to pursue art as a career

Ultimately a decision to pursue a 'real job' led Amanda to go to university where she graduated as a BSc (Hons) in chemistry. After deciding whether to pursue a higher degree Amanda chose to complete a Dip. Ed. which led her to becoming a high school maths/science teacher, something she proceeded to do until the desire to paint became too overwhelming. She left the teaching profession and has been a professional artist for the last 20 years.

Mainly self taught, she has made it her life long ambition to master watercolour, a medium that looks 'lovely' but is actually more difficult than oil and harder to conquer. She has become known for her strong watercolours with their powerful zen-like brushstrokes.

Amanda has won many awards including the Camberwell Rotary Gold Medal in 1992. Such achievement saw her nominated for the Twenty Melbourne Painters Society, a most prestigious 90 year old society whose past members have included Max Meldrum , Ernest Buckmaster, Sir John Longstaff,  Harold Herbert and Rupert Bunny.  Amanda's grandmother always purported to the fact that the family was related to the latter.

Amanda exhibits annually at Seaview Gallery and her work is continually on show at the gallery. In the past she has herself held 20 to 30 solo and joint exhibitions. She culminated her efforts with watercolour in two exhibitions in New York in 1998 and 1999 with follow ups in Madrid. Amanda has been described in the Weekend Australian as one of the top Australian Watercolourists and is frequently featured in the Australian Artists Magazine in addition to several art books.

Amanda recently taught herself to paint with oil as a break from the intensity of watercolour and has also won awards with these. She ventured into portraiture and has painted such notables as Mr Barry Jones,  Prof. Peter Doherty (Nobel Laureate for Science and Medicine),  Dr Robin Batterham (CEO Rio Tinto) and Sir Malcolm McIntosh (CEO CSIRO-dec.) whose portrait hangs at CSIRO Head Office Canberra.

Her methods are true to traditional realist impressionism, a method evolved from the French Impressionist, adapted by the Australian Impressionists (Heidelberg School) and maintained today by herself and her contemporaries. This is the method of trying to capture a mood or a moment as defined by light to give the painting a sense of magic.

The November Master Class was a wonderful success and booked out - Seaview Gallery is now making a list those interested in the next workshop - 2009.  Please contact the gallery to regester interest and be put on the mailing list.
Seaview Gallery hosted Amanda Hyatt's  (weekend 17-18 November Master Class 2007)

Amanda Hyatt - weekend Master Class  A unique opportunity to learn from Amanda as she shares her skill and personal 'tricks of the trade' with you. Amanda Hyatt is offering a two day master class with a focus on water colour techniques - gain an insight into her masterful brush strokes.