Category: Spiritual Art

Reflections of Grace

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Grace is something I  reflect on during the season of Lent, which also coincides, this year, with the writing of my book;  Drawn by the Light, Finding Strength in Dark Spaces. It is the perfect time to reflect on my faith journey which I talk about in my book and it is a perfect time to think about Grace and how lucky I am to have received it.

Here is another excerpt from my book: “Amazing, GRACE is a beautiful thing, and when I realized that I was given it for free and unconditional by the light and love of God I raised my hand and said, ”Me too Lord”.

Lent is my time for contemplation and forgiveness of myself and others. It is the one time of year that I sacrifice my own comfort to draw myself closer to the light of God. Lent is the time to be thankful for grace, given to me simply because I am loved.

Douglas McManaman who is a Deacon and a Religion and Philosophy teacher at Father Michael McGivney Catholic Academy in Markham Ontario, Canada states it this way in his article What does Divine Grace do for us? “Grace is a sharing in the divine life. It is the infused presence of God, a presence that is supernatural, not merely natural. Human persons are not born in a state of grace. And there is nothing we can do ourselves to earn grace. Rather, divine grace is favor, and it is freely bestowed.”

If you are interested in following my journey of faith while I write my book. Sign up now to be put on the waiting list

Forgiven, another byte from my book

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Forgiven

“Forgiven” 8″ x 8″ Acrylic on gallery wrap canvas 

Writing my book has been very cathartic. When you review your life as Chapters in a book, like I am doing, you begin to see the whole picture; the good, the bad, and the ugly. I ask myself, “Do I really want to make this public?”

My answer is “yes, a resounding YES”; if my transparency helps one person identify with my strengths and weaknesses. As a former therapist my words may help that person step out of their own dark space and forgive themself and love themself, and through that transformation become a new person.

An excerpt from my book Drawn by the Light, Finding Strength in Dark Spaces: “When you venture into a dark space, say a cave, the smallest spark will create the brightest light. We can’t always predict or know why life takes us into dark spaces, but when they come it is the greatest time of growth. Those of us who come out of dark spaces are transformed into new people, and we find the light”

As I write this book I am sharing excerpts and paintings that will be in my book. The painting above is called “Forgiven”. If you want to follow along and are not on my mailing list you can sign up HERE and receive a free digital download of one of my paintings, or just scroll below and you will also find a link.

A New Book Is Coming

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“As I begin my story and describe an important first picture, I will take a moment to paint the background. When one thinks of creating a new painting, the background is the first thing that needs to be laid down. With the appropriate background, the things in the foreground are noticed more easily.” An excerpt from my new work in progress. “Drawn by the Light, Finding Strength in Dark Spaces.”

After five years of procrastination I have finally hired an editor and started working on my book. For the longest time I did not know how to start. Fear can stop you dead in your tracks. This year I promised myself that I would be unstoppable, so here I am. Six Chapters in to my faith journey and how it has influenced my art. This is the tentative Cover.

It will be a beautiful book, full of art and hope. Release date should be sometime in July.

~Pam~

 

Creating Liturgical Art

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THE LIGHT SHINES

“The Light Shines” 30″ X 30″ Acrylic on gallery wrap canvas

Two times a year I have the privilege to paint pieces for Trinity Presbyterian Church in Prescott, AZ. This usually comes during the season of Lent and Advent. There is nothing I love more than to paint for the Glory of God. This is my opportunity to paint “LITURGICAL ART”, art for the Church and the people of the Church.

Some of you know that I also sing in Trinity’s choir.  So we have been preparing for the Advent Cantata that Trinity does the first Sunday of December.  It is a special morning of praise through music with the Trinity choir and orchestra.  I always try to paint a visual representation of the story behind the cantata. This year’s cantata “And There Was Light” is written and arranged by Joseph Martin. We have sung many of his cantatas, they are a joy to listen to, are up-lifting, and really put you in the spirit of the season.

I usually start thinking about an art piece for the Cantata once we have begun to practice it.  This year I immediately visualized a candle and a star of Bethlehem, both represent the Light of Christ.

During the Studio Tour in October is when I usually start the piece. Those of you who visited the studio saw the begining of it. So I thought this would be an appropriate time to debut it, since Trinity has started using the image for advertising.

Thanks go out to my Trinity family, who encourage my work and are some of my greatest supporters.

~Pam~

 

 

PRAISE and PAINTING

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H0215 24x24One of my morning rituals is meditation, prayer and praise. Thanking God for everything.  It steadies my life and makes each day flow in a perfect sequence. It does not mean my day is always perfect but it sure is a lot smoother than if I didn’t meditate. As an artist I have combined painting with this.

Each morning when I step into the studio I create a study on Vellum, usually about something that struck me during meditation.  I call them praise paintings. This year I am creating a series of  1/2 day Praise and Painting Workshops. These workshops will be for anyone, non-painter as well as artists who want to grow their practice of meditation and praise. All supplies will be provided the only thing to bring is your willingness to learn a new form of praise and thankfulness.

My favorite place to hang out besides my studio is at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Prescott. So they are graciously hosting this event in the Ballard Learning Center.

630 PARK AVE. PRESCOTT, AZ

MAY 18  1PM-4PM

For more information or to register 

 

Thriving

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“Thriving” 10″ X 10″  LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS PAINTING      

Hi Friends,

We all want to feel like we are thriving, but sometimes that perception is hard to accept. This happens a lot to artists; it is the culture of art, the mystic of art.  Actually it is the fault of Vincent van Gogh!  After all van Gogh only sold one painting in his entire career, so he was the first and foremost “Starving Artist:.

So I try to thrive, and fortunately have never had to starve. I diversify my assets.  What are my assets? I could include my portfolio, but that is between me and my broker, what I really want to talk about is my skill sets.

I paint powerful, energy driven paintings full of color and movement.  They come from my faith-based life, the spiritual side of me, the side that finds joy in life, the side that want’s to lift others spirits.  My other skill set is actually two-fold, the therapist and teacher side of me.  I use these skills in my workshops and individual lessons and soon in my on-line classes.  I diversify these skills to create my purpose: “to lift people’s spirits and bring people to wholeness, by finding the beauty in this world.” 

It’s not a bad way to live, doing what I love and know best. Thriving in a beautiful art career, and helping people lift their spirits.  Let’s take the Starving out of the Artist.

Pam

 

 

My #1 question? What’s yours?

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PRESCOTT SUNRISE, 16 X 16 ACRYLIC ON 1 1:2 GALLERY WRAP CANVAS, $320.00 BY PAMELA DUNMIRE

“Prescott Sunrise”   Learn more about this painting

Hi Friends,

Today is a question and answer session.  So I will try to answer the #1 question that people ask about my art and let you ask me some.

People always ask,  “Why do I paint what I do?”

Short answer is that it makes me happy, but the long answer is more complicated. My previous career was in Social Work; twenty years working with families, with a Masters in Counseling Psychology .

I saw that people who had broken spirits rarely picked themselves up. A single reflection of hope, in many cases, could be the trigger to make all the difference. Art became my solace after a long day of helping others who were stuck in a mire of self-destruction and hopelessness. It brought normalcy and hope to my life, so why couldn’t it bring this to others? If I were able to help a person move into a positive direction simply by viewing my art or teaching them how to create their own art they could look at life differently and change their lives for the better.

It is little wonder I try to find that spark of hope in all I do. As an artist the themes of hope and positive energy carry through all my work. I choose to paint art that is full of movement, positive-energy, and color to uplift my spirit and the spirits of others. Through my workshops I teach others to find wholeness through art.

So there you have it… I paint to heal grief, disappointment, and failure. I paint to give hope to others. I paint to help people have a joyous life.

So ask away, and then let me ask you how my art can help?  When it comes to picking art for your environment, what is your single greatest challenge?

Have a great day and continue enjoying life to its fullest.

Pam

 

Spring… rebirth, renewal and resurrection

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iria internet

“Iris”  16″ X 16″

As the seasons change so do I, winter barely left us when I was waiting for hints of spring, I have an Iris garden just off my deck, surrounded by my  creek and this is where I look each year for signs of spring.  Now Iris are one of the few flowers I can plant that our pesky Javalina don’t seem to have an appetite for.  Daffodils are the other spring flower that is not on their menu.  So these two flowers are planted everywhere in Prescott .  When the leaves start popping through the earth, just like clock work around the spring solstice I know spring has sprung.

This became my inspiration for a spring collection, which is all about flowers this year; specifically Iris. So from now through May you may see a lot of flowers blooming on my website.  A fresh inviting look full of promise and hope for an amazing 2018.  Isn’t that what spring is all about, rebirth, renewal and resurrection.

Original Boutique Art  (only 1 available)  Shipping free in the US

“Iris” Original Acrylic Painting

16" X 16" X 1 1/2" Acrylic on Gallery Wrapped Canvas sides painted teal and ready to hang.

$320.00

 

Painting Flowers

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Spring Garden  12″ X 16″ Acrylic on Gallery Wrap Canvas

One of my new students asked if I could show her how I create flowers, this is the demo I created during the lesson.  Basically this is hundreds of random strokes. One  layer upon the other, fluctuating between light and dark; building up one layer at a time to create color, energy and movement.  In the process a lot of texture is laid on the canvas.

This technique is the underpinning of all my work, layer upon layer, color upon color.  This leads to a loose contemporary feel.  I love working with students.  Teaching is really my superpower and moving an artist into their best creative self is a joy to me.

If you want to learn how to paint this way, in an intuitive style with lots of color energy and movement.  I have a great workshop in April in the beautiful Ponderosa Pines of Prescott, AZ. Seats are filling up, but there are still one or two waiting for you.  Check it out here

REGISTER TODAY

April Workshop

Two day acrylic workshop in the cool pines of Prescott. April 20-21 9-4 each day.

$150.00

Morning On The Mesa

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Morning On The Mesa

“Morning On The Mesa” 12″ X 13″ Acrylic on Gallery Wrap

Wow, this is my first post of 2018 because of six weeks working on a Wizard of Oz set for our local Youth Theater.  As their set designer I have been busy down in the basement of Trinity Presbyterian Church in Prescott, AZ creating a large, 7′ X 12′ story book that will be the backdrop (Center Stage) for the show.  But more about that on a later post.

So you can image how exciting it was to finally paint for fun today.  So I choose some of my favorite colors, purple and teal, and used their softest hue for each by adding white and formed a pastel palette.  Then I took my favorite subject a desert mesa and added a river (always wanting to quench my thirst) then drew my inspiration from memories.  A soft, dreamy painting of a sunrise, that mirrors my expectations for a new beginning to 2018; a year of possibilities in the studio for teaching, showing and selling art.

I am so glad to be back in the studio creating one panting at a time…