Tag: #pameladunmirefineart

At The Montage

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AT THE MONTAGE

At the Montage  9″ X 12″

It has been over two weeks since I painted spontaneously from the easel.  Since my vacation to Laguna Beach, I have been busy in the studio catching up on some commission work. So when my student came in this morning after a trip to Colorado, it was a perfect time to get us both back in the swing of paint to canvas or in this case paint to vellum paper.

A quick intuitive study on paper is one of my favorite ways to loosen up after a long absence from regular painting. I call them my early morning studies, a truly spontaneous recollection of a moment in time.  This is where I catch a feeling of a memory, and put it to paper.

One of the things I love about Laguna Beach is the free trolley that runs the coast and all the way up to the Pageant of the Masters and Art Festivals.  My husband and I and our good friends had a day to explore before the Pageant so hopping on the Trolley was the way to go.  We took the line almost to the end and jumped off at the Montage Resort.  The Montage is a spectacular spot of coast line with amazing views, tucked away south-facing beaches, perfect for snorkeling; and it has immaculate grounds with specimen flora that beg to be touched and smelled. It also has well-groomed walking paths along the coast, and a beautiful veranda to sip a cold drink after your walk.

So it is no wonder that I painted a spot along the walking path that lead down to the beach, that was full of Bougainville and beautiful vistas.  I remembered thinking that the next trip I will be sure to bring my easel and do some plein-aire painting; but for now I must be content with my memories.

As I see it, Pam

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MY WHY, how I came to be the artist I am.

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IMG_1445

River Bank  30″ X 30″ Acrylic on Gallery Wrap Canvas

Here is a flash back from 2014 when I began to paint bigger and bolder with Color, Energy and Movement. At that time I was in an experimental stage with my art and not knowing where it would lead me. Little did I know that 2014 would be the pivotal year in defining my work and finding my voice.

It certainly didn’t happen all at once but with a conscious effort to dig deep into my inner self I discovered my “WHY” ( why do I paint).  It took an extensive and intense workshop in North Carolina, and much soul-searching to find the Why of my art.  Slowly my work became more cohesive, more me, and I was able to speak to its depth of meaning. It now defines who I am, and who my audience is. It has made all the difference in how successful I have become.  As an artist who struggled I can only say you must know where your WHY comes from in order to be great at what you do. Art now defines my life, gives me a voice to speak about a future of abundance, and helps others find the happiness that I have found.

Finding my WHY one painting at a time…

REFLECTIONS

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C0215 30x30

Reflecting Home  30″ X 30″ Acrylic on Gallery Wrap Canvas

Today I am feeling quite melancholy, I think I am coming off the high of a great Open Studio Tour, some unexpected sales and a successful talk.  Exhaustion has settled in and I am sharing my vulnerable self.  The studio has become a working place more than a creative space. I have several pet portraits in various stages of development for customers, but I have not found time to create for me.

When I begin to feel overloaded like I do today I turn toward reflection. A time to look back and ponder how I got to this place. It is not always easy to consistently be up to the task of growing a business. Especially at my age, people say why haven’t you retired. The answer to that is simply, I like what I do. I find purpose in my mission of spreading joy and happiness to those who stumble upon my work. I love spreading positive energy through my workshops, talks, and paintings.  I love collaborating with other positive people and bringing something new and different into the world. I thrive on that spark of creativity.

It becomes more difficult each year as my energy drains faster than my ideas. So I have learned to pace myself, say NO when I have to, and pick what is important and let the rest slide.  Now is the time to nurture my soul and talk to my kids and let them know how much I love them and go on a much-needed date with my husband.

Journeying  through the ups and downs of life one painting at a time…

ASPENS

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ASPENS

Aspens 14″ X 11″  Acrylic on 1 1/2″ gallery wrap canvas

Just down the street is a beautiful clump of Aspens, they are the first in the neighborhood to turn brilliant yellow. They herald in the passage of time and the dance of Autumn. The riotous colors of the pears and ash were cued to bring forth there graduar and I got a quick step to my gait. Yes Fall is my favorite season of the year; no wonder that my first demo of the Artist Studio Tour was this little gem.

This is nowhere in particular but it was nestled in my heart and spewed out on Friday last. Reminicent of Granite Mountain and the meadows of Aspen that grow in Flagstaff.  It appears to be a composite of beautiful memories of Northern Arizona.  God’s tapestry that brings me joy.

Enjoying the beauty of Autumn on painting at a time…

ASPENS 14″T X 11″W, Acrylic on Gallery Wrap Canvas

Beautiful fall scene. Original one of a kind art, sides painted, and ready to hang. UV coating to protect the colors from fading. Shipping Free in the United States

$230.00

FAR AWAY LANDS

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FAR AWAY LANDS

“Far Away Lands”  24″ X 24″ Acrylic on 1 1/2″ gallery wrap canvas

This last weekend was the Prescott Area Artists Studio Tour which I was honored to have participated in. This was my demo for Saturday and Sunday.  It is so full of energy brought in by all the visitors to the studio. The positive vibes along with feelings of love, swelled my heart and I created some place different and new, a far away place sheltered by everyone’s love and good wishes.

I love the chance to meet new friends and fellow travelers of life. It is an opportunity to share my story and to hear theirs. It is amazing how often we have things in common, or from the same area; It seems like a divine introduction, with God saying you will really like this person.  I always do and the circle keeps getting bigger and better.

Thanks to all who shared my studio this weekend, you brought a piece of happiness and blessed this place with abundance.

Meeting new friends one painting at a time…

 

RIVER’S BEND

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RIVERS BEND

“River’s Bend”  20″ X 20″ acrylic on 1 1/2″ gallery wrap canvas

This painting reminds me of so many things: fishing with my dad, camping with my brother, tubing with my kids. Cold mountain rivers are a favorite of mine, especially after a long day of hiking. I love to take my boots off and wade in the water, replenish my thirst and relax on the shore. They restore my soul too. Nature in all it’s forms brings me closer to the divine and gives me a pathway to mindfulness. I have come to understand that this is why I paint, to bring me closer to the light of God and to share that joy with others.

I will be sharing my Journey To Faith Through Art, at the “Friday Project” at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Prescott, AZ on October 13th. If you are local and want an inspiring evening join me for dinner and fellowship before the service. Learn about the Friday Project here.

SUNSET LAKE

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SUNSET LAKE

“Sunset Lake”  16″ X 16″ Acrylic on 1 1/2″ Gallery Wrap Canvas

Recalling memories while hiking up a trail this magnificent lake came into view. A beautiful sunset played over the waves and I knew I was home.  My heart was content, my soul was full of wonder and the light of God reflected from my eyes. The Divine was everywhere that day, and I was privileged to see his works.

I created this piece during an art instruction. My student wanted to paint a pond, and show movement in the water.  I usually paint along side my student so that I can demonstrate techniques when asked to. I painted this lake as the movement of water flowed through me.  I try to explain to my students that whatever you paint has to be felt to be truly authentic, and if authentic, it will have movement or emotion or feelings or what ever you want to portray. The longer I create the more it becomes me, my truth, my why and my life. It is as simple and as difficult as that.

Creating my life one painting at a time…

 

 

 

MISTY MORNING

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MISTY MORNING

“Misty Morning” 8″ X 8″ acrylic on gallery wrap canvas

I love fall mornings when the mist begins to rise off the desert and it is indistinguishable between the sky and earth. A coolness settles in, shapes blur and dreams become real. This is how I felt this morning as I was sitting on the deck planning a day in the studio. A cool dampness settled in and I recalled this scene from long ago. So it became probable that I would paint that feeling and make dreams become real.

This is how all my paintings start, a feeling, an emotion, a memory, they come to life in my being and then show up on a canvas. It is how creativity works in me. I praise this experience and how it brings the light into my life.

This must be number 22 in my 30 in 30 challenge, I have lost count, but I have not lost the magic.

Creating magic one painting at a time…

 

 

TWO APPLES it’s harvest season…

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TWO APPLES

“Two Apples”  9″ X 12″ acrylic on 150 lb. pressed paper

Today’s painting in my 30 in 30 challenge has broken all the rules.  I should have one tree or three trees but not TWO trees. But I snuck one in as your eye is leaving the paper.  Maybe that means there are a whole slew of other apple trees.  Maybe it is an orchard. If I step back I can envision it.  That is what I tell my students, paint till you are 80% done and let the viewer fill in the rest. Let them envision their own story.

I love this time of year, growing up in Michigan we had this great Cider Mill that I loved to go to in the fall. They have an apple press that was built in the 1800’s and is meticulously cared for.  They make the best fried donuts on the planet, perfectly paired with their cider. I remember as a kid running through their orchards and climbing the trees. Such happy memories I needed to paint an apple tree or maybe two.

Remembering my childhood one painting at a time…

MARCH OF THE TREES, or marching along in the studio.

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MARCH OF THE TREES

“March of the Trees”   9″ X 12″on 150 lb. pressed paper

Today is #19 in my 30 in 30 challenge, you may have notices that this isn’t going very well. I have 5 days till the end of the month and 11 paintings to go. So I think I already lost the battle but not the war. The success of the whole exercise is keep marching along. I had decided long ago that for my own mental health that I needed to take weekends off. So that is what I do, I walk out of the studio on weekends and devote time to family and friends.

Just yesterday at church someone introduced me as a REAL ARTIST to one of her friends. She explained that I did all the sets for Park Avenue Theater. That got me thinking, working all day in the studio and running an art business for the last 10 years does not qualify me as an artist but designing sets twice a year for 6 years does. I guess it is all in the perspective of the beholder so I will just keep marching along with those trees.

Marching along painting one tree, one set, and one painting at a time.