I am so thankful to all of you for your tremendous faith in me and your encouragement to write this book. The book was over a year in the making. Just as I started to plan my book tour, Covid-19 hit and well you know… what happened next.
Some of you who have been reading my blog, know that I have had some medical problems, but I won’t let that get me down. I am ready for my book tour and the first engagement is the Prescott Book Fair on November 13th on the 3rd floor of the ELKS THEATER. I will be signing your books then.
Meanwhile, if you cozy on up to my book and enjoy it, I would love a recommendation on Amazon.
“Stretching” I love to garden, and as I watch my plants stretch toward the direction of the light, I see how my life has followed the same path.
This book is not simply about the life of an artist, but I intend for it to be a self-help book, and a book of hope. With an MA in Counseling Psychology and many years of experience in helping others put their lives back together, I speak and write to you through the things I have learned.
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 to them. It is therefore little wonder that I try to find that spark of hope in all that I do.
As an acrylic 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. So I bring together here the elements of art and life to bring you hope.
Through the descriptive form of writing and the visual form of my art, I offer to you my thoughts on the importance of light, and of ‘the Light’. In my new book “Drawn By The Light, Finding Strength in Dark Spaces”
I am so excited that my book is finished and off to my awesome editor where his hands are massaging the pages. That’s Editor speak for making it flow so that it is a good read. This book is authentic and transparent as I describe my depths of lows and soaring highs as I travel toward the light and find my true authentic self. Only through Grace and Redemption did I find the strength to move forward .
Here is an excerpt from the back cover.
“Pamela Dunmire, acrylic painter and motivational speaker, shares her journey through life in a painterly fashion — layer by layer, with light and shadows and contrast. She describes times in her life that felt like dark spaces when painting her canvas, yet she found herself always drawn to the light.
Pamela is authentic and transparent as she describes the depths of her lows, and then she soars with high moments as she travels towards the light and finds her way. Pamela’s sound advice for living by faith and keeping positive will change your life forever.
A real tell it all book, it is not only a good read, but beautiful as she displays many of her original paintings throughout.”
Here is a picture photographed by the Art Docents taken at Prescott Center for the Arts. If you would love to read “Drawn by the Light, Finding Strength in Dark Spaces” get on my waiting list today.
“Cityscape” 16″X16″ Acrylic on Gallery Wrap Canvas
It’s been quite some time since I have sat down to write a blog post, that must mean that I’m back.
“On May 21st a Thursday night, I started my longest dark space; when I lost my creative drive, my mental health and my will to live. I was heading to bed after a full and robust day when I tripped and fell backwards and broke my right femur and right hip. I heard the snap and felt the pain immediately. Tom wanted to help me up but I asked for my phone to call 911. With in minutes the fire truck and paramedics where at my door, they were all in masks, yet I knew what they were thinking, “this old lady is in for a long haul”. I was put on a gurney, and delivered to the Emergency Room at our local hospital.
X-rays confirmed I indeed broke my femur and hip, and this would be a brutal surgery. I was given opiates for pain and wheeled to a room and waited twenty-four hours till I was wheeled into the surgical theater. My surgeon said five other patients had broken their hips that same evening, so I was the last scheduled for surgery; and there wasn’t even a full moon…”
An excerpt from my new book “Drawn By The Light, Finding Strength in Dark Spaces”
I had hopes that this book would have been published the fall of 2020, now I will launch closer to fall of 2021. God took things in his own hands and wanted me to have some humility, I thought I could breeze through this accident. Then things happened and they never ended until March of 2021. Many days in the hospital without visitors and than a rehabilitation center without visitors; A second more lengthy stay in the hospital without visitors, all due to Covid restrictions. Then a change of Lifestyle and diet, and six weeks of physical outpaient therapy. Now I feel like I can join the living once again. I am still on a cane with occasional pain and exhaustion but with a whole new attitude. I am grateful for all the prayers and well wishes by all you wonderful people. I have delighted in the cards and flowers, and felt every prayer that covered me with grace. I am especially thankful to my children and husband who shared their love and hope with me.
Ever the Artist and Optimist I will be back at the easel soon. The painting above is a favorite of mine that I painted several years ago. That night of the accident, as I was under the influence of a cocktail of drugs given by the EMT’s, I remember the the flashing lights of the emergency vehicles and how they bounced off the windows and doors of the ER; It brought me back to my painting, “Cityscape”.
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.
“Manzanita” 12″ X 9″ original acrylic on vellum paper, matted in white to 16″ X 12″ $75.00
One of my favorite things at the break of daylight is to look out my bedroom window at the wild Manzanita that grows in the rocky terrace of my hillside yard. I have this amazing view from my bed. It starts my day off being reassured that the wilderness that I love surrounds me and it brings me present with nature.
Those of us who are fortunate enough to live in Prescott value the scenic views that surround our mountain town. I love to capture small snippets of the views to create my paintings. These Manzanita bushes tell their own story of survival in this arid landscape. It amazes me how they can continue to blossom even when we come into draught. They radiate a message of hope, that when I am in a Draught of Creativity if I focus on the positive beauty around me, soon I will find the answers.
This is the second painting of the 2020 year done as an “Early Morning Study” This painting was first started last year but never finished, set aside and abandoned. This year I chose to give it new life, new meaning, just as it’s real counterpart growing outside my bedroom window, it becomes a survivor. A reminder to me and you that no matter what, hope is always present. You just need to imagine it.
“Acequia” 9″ X 12″ Acrylic on Velum matted to 12″ X 16″ and ready to frame. $75.00
Many of you know how much I love New Mexico, and Georgia O’Keeffe’s work. She has always been an inspiration to me. Her work to me is sensual, spiritual, and simplistic in form. I love to study her work and whenever in Santa Fe I always go to the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum to see her paintings up close and personal. This week in the studio one of my Early Morning Studies is centered around a past article I reread in the New Mexico Magazine. “Real Simple O’Keeffe” This article talked about How she quietly trail-blazed a path of organic, minimalist living. Very similar to my own life style. They showed pictures of her home in Abiquiu, her garden and the Acequia del Pueblo still flowing through stone and mud packed ditches. The article inspired me to paint the Acequia in a manner I thought Georgia would approve.
It’s now matted and ready to be offered up to the first one of you that wants it. Just let me know. It’s a one of a kind original and no prints will be made. They always go quickly. Shipped free in the USA.
“Storm Clouds Brewing”12″ X 9″ Acrylic on Vellum matted to 16″ X 12″
August is here and my busiest and most exciting time of year is upon me as I head into the fall season. I am getting ready for the annual Prescott Area Artists Studio Tour with a whole new series on velum paper matted and ready to frame.
The above painting, “Storm Clouds Brewing” came about because this time of year my thoughts are on the Monsoon. It was late coming and we all held our breath as the forest fires started popping up from the dry lightening. I love to paint the feeling of the storm; the energy of the storm ramps up and then immense release when the rain arrives. Visualizing this on paper is alway exciting. These go quickly so if you want this let me know. Otherwise it will be sold during the Studio Tour the first weekend in October.
Meanwhile, I am also preparing for two events in September you will want to know about. On September 23rd I will be speaking for the Prescott Art Docents. On September 29th I will be painting live during the two services at Trinity Presbyterian Church. Both are free to the public. I invite you locals to attend.
One 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.
It seems everywhere I look now days I see blessings all around me. Even though things haven’t changed to any degree with my life, my way of thinking has. Each morning during my meditation time I ask for three things.
That I will always be surrounded by love.
That I will always have the most amazing and beautiful human experiences.
That I will always be learning and growing.
Than I give thanks for all that I all ready have, a loving family and friends. Good health and purpose to my life. I pray for blessing for all my family, friends and community. I stretch my thoughts to the universe and connect to the collective conscious of all nature, and I thank God.
This morning I couldn’t pick just on thing to be in praise about so I painted the energy of my life. I do believe it is time to find my expression through abstraction once again. For those of you who liked my abstract paintings this will be a blessing. To those who love my bright colorful energy driven landscapes this may be a new way of looking at life.
My wish for all of you is this:
That you be surrounded by love
That you have the most beautiful and amazing human experiences
12″ X 9″ acrylic painting on vellum paper, matted to 16″ X 12″ and ready to hang. A one of a kind original painting.
Shipping is free in the United States.
One 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.
