Amanda Zirzow
Amanda captivates viewers with her one-of-a-kind bold and colorful, spectrum-infused original paintings. Born in Falls Church, Virginia, just outside of Washington D.C., Amanda was influenced by exploring the Smithsonian museums, the National Zoo, and the outdoors. As a primarily self-taught artist, she paints with a unique interpretation of nature in her own colorful style and composition. She earned her Bachelor’s and Master of Science Degree in Biological Sciences from George Mason University and teaches at Florida SouthWestern State College. With her passion for art and background in biology, she often brings exacting details of the subjects in her paintings, infusing them with color, a unique style appreciated by collectors worldwide.
Featured Artwork
Pelicans at Sunset
The sun has risen and set over the vast ocean for billions of years, casting a beautiful spectrum of colors over the waves. These colors move us in ways no words can. The colors combined with the ocean breeze inspire me to ponder ancient times and the amazing creatures that once roamed the earth. Descendant from the dinosaurs, the pelican family has existed for over 30 million years. These two pelicans enjoy one such sunset on Sanibel Island.
Burrowing Owls in the Starry Night
“For my part, I know nothing with any certainty, but the sight of the stars makes me dream.” The passion exuded through the works of Vincent Van Gogh is a force inspiring the momentum behind my paintings. Burrowing Owls are iconic throughout Cape Coral, Florida, where I lived before moving to Fort Myers. We lived next to a vacant lot set aside for these whimsical owls. This artwork was selected for the South Cape Utility Box Beautification Project by the City of Cape Coral and is on permanent display at 1023 SE 47th Terrace, Cape Coral, FL 33904.
Education
Philosophy of Teaching
A teaching (philosophy) statement is a reflective essay about teaching beliefs and practices with the purpose of gaining a better understanding of the learning process. As a teacher, I have three overarching philosophies: 1. I strive to give students a passion to want to learn in a collaborative class structure and memorable methods to encourage critical thinking; 2. I verify the transference of knowledge and passion. 3. To serve as a good teacher, I must be a student first, I learn from my students by asking for feedback and then I change components of my classes based on reviews and student/ instructor dialogue.