Stace & Amanda Pshyk

Amanda Pshyk

Artist Biography

“Passionate ~ Expressive ~ Adventurous
I have found love, myself, and my dream”.

Amanda was born in Fredericton, New Brunswick, the granddaughter of a WWII Veteran and English War-Bride Painter on her father’s side, and Gospel Singers on her mother’s. Growing up, Amanda’s family moved every few years to a new culture. She enjoyed Danish pastry and crafts in New Denmark, and learned French in Grand-Falls. Living in the Dene village of Wrigley NWT, Amanda was privileged to learn Dene beading, tufting, and furs from community elders. It was here she first experienced the Aurora Borealis, smoked Caribou meat, a drum-dance, and a four-seater float-plane. Moving to Nunavut, on Broughton Island, the Inuit welcomed her into their culture. She learned Inuktitut, watched a master carver, experienced throat-singing, and listened to their stories.

“I discovered my love of music, dance, and visual art as a teenager, but never dreamed I would make my life in the arts”. Upon arriving in Whitehorse during the Klondike Gold Rush Centennial Celebration in June 1998, Amanda began the journey that she is still on today. “I met, fell in love, and married my husband and soul-mate Stace here: together we’ve found healing, who we really are, and how we want to enjoy our lives”. Her husband, Stace, is a professional artist, making his debut at the BC Festival of the Arts nearly 20 years ago. He is a pen-ink painter, metal sculptor, stone carver, and digital artist. They are both digital photographers and print-makers, and manage their own websites. Amanda and Stace also have fun with collaborations, unconventionally fusing many of their artforms and mediums.

Amanda has been beading for over 15 years, and enjoys everything from jewellery to clothing and accessories. She designs her wire & gem jewellery with a variety of materials such as Flamework-Glass, Swarovski Crystal, gemstones, pearls, and vintage pieces. “I use a free-form sculpting technique to fashion my jewellery, and I create from my feeling and the energy of my mood. I want to give the bejeweled a sense of traveling to another place, channeling an emotion, or wearing the elements.” Amanda and Stace are members of the Yukon Arts Society Arts Underground Gallery, have been a part of the Yukon Artists @ Work Cooperative, and show in Copper Moon Gallery. Shy Arts is their entrepreneurial adventure, and keeps them very busy. The Pshyks are proudly self-taught/produced/promoted, and are excited to now be doing the same for other artists.

“Our inspiration comes from each other, culture, nature, and the passions of life. We are thankful for our God-given gifts, and intend to live our dreams and experience all the world has to offer.”