Thumb Butte

Thumb Butte

Thumb Butte”  Acrylic on Vellum Paper 

Thumb Butte is the Iconic Landmark in Prescott. I am fortunate enough to have a beautiful view of it right outside my window.  It is one reason I bought my home 15 years ago, and it never disappoints me as the seasons go by, the weather changes, and the sun shifts over the butte.

It has been a special place to me since moving here. The Yavapai Indians call it the Sleeping Lion, and it is sacred to them. No wonder I am drawn to painting this butte frequently. I have painted it in all its splendor, and in all it’s seasons. This time I painted it as an early morning study on vellum paper.  I love these small studies 9″ X 12″ matted to 12″ X 16″ and ready to frame.

My paintings of Thumb Butte never last long. So let me know if you are interested.

Have a marvelous New Year, may it be the best ever.

~Pam~

Creating Atmosphere

STORMS A COMING

“Storms A Coming”  9″ X 12″ Acrylic on Vellum

This is one of my early morning studies where I was practicing technique. I wanted the feel of a storm coming yet the sun was still shinning through that sucker hole as my meteorologist husband would say.  So the painting is bright and colorful yet the sky is threatening. It definitely makes the colors pop and the shadows interesting; a favorite of  many of my followers.

It is a practice of mine to work on vellum paper to warm up in the studio before I start my day of painting.  It keeps my skills honed and allows me time for experimentation. This is an example of atmospheric experimentation,  I wanted my sky full of drama yet a landscape full of promise. Spring flowers popping up from winter rains.  Though we are experiencing extreme draught in our part of the world I am ever hopeful that God will nurture our arid lands.

This painting is matted and ready to frame total area 12″ X 16″.  A great value since I sell them far below my canvas work.

“Storms A Coming” Original acrylic painting on vellum.

Painting is 9″ X 12″ matted to 12″ X 16″ Ready for your own unique frame.

$65.00

Creating Early Morning Studies

SPRINGTIME ON THE MESA

“Spring Time On The Mesa”  9″T X 12″W  Acrylic on Vellum

I started a practice at the first of the year to force me to hone my skills and bring me into the studio and away from the office.  I have found that this art business of mine renders me more time in the office doing marketing than in the actual studio.  I must get an assistant, but I digress.

I call this practice my early morning 10 to 15 minute study. I have a pad of Vellum that I use strictly to create quick studies.  I work the first 10 minutes of the morning laying down on the paper what ever comes to mind. This practice really is a marker as to how I am thinking that day and the mood I am in. I never finish the study in one sitting but instead put it aside and pick it up again the next morning.  The next day my mood may have changed and I may go in another direction with the study. Eventually I finish it and may find I like what I have created so I will mat it and sell it way below what I charge for a normal acrylic painting done on gallery wrap canvas. The customer ends up with a Boutique Art Original at a much lower price. That is how many of my new customers have started their collections of my work.

This practice loosens me up and allows me to experiment with new techniques so I am constantly getting better. It also quickly gets me ready for a day of work in the studio.

So what do you do to start your day?

“Spring Time On The Mesa”

9″ X 12″ original acrylic painting on vellum paper, matted to 12" X 16" and ready to frame.

$75.00

WHAT COLOR AM I, or another way to define who I am.

FAR AWAY LANDS

Far away Lands  24″ X 24″ ON Gallery Wrap Canvas

Any of you who use Facebook are familiar with those quizzes that alway pop up on your feed.  One in particular is what color are you.  As if they can really tell you this with a five question quiz.  Then in an artists group that I belong to we were asked to describe ourselves by color, scent, taste, and sound in other words by our senses. But it did get me thinking that there are many ways to describe oneself, and to better understand oneself.

So here goes… I am going to describe myself in a way that you may see me, understand me, and see what feeds the inspiration for my art.

I am the color Turquoise, grounded in the Southwest, calm in spirit but full of positive energy. A bit wild like a mustang, yet solid as the mesas that watch over this land. My soul is deep and those that meet me can feel it. Purple is my secondary color, I am deeply spiritual, a friend of justice. Mother Earth is where my energy comes from; in nature is where I would rather be. I am a loner at times, a deep thinker, a true friend, and honest to the fault. I am not to everyone’s liking, but loyal to those who are my tribe. I am spicy with lots of warmth, kind of like the spice Cumin. My scent is sage after a rain, earthy, friendly, someone who makes you feel at home. My melody would be an anthem, ringing out the praises of God. Lastly my touch is soft and free flowing like my art.

So there you have it. Can you see me now?  Creating beauty one painting at a time…

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

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…

ASPENS

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

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

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

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

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…