Interview With Artist Pamela E. Miller

About Pamela

“By cultivating the beautiful we scatter the seeds of heavenly flowers, as by doing good we cultivate those that belong to humanity” -Robert Heinlein

These are just a few words that I like to live by. I feel that creating art is a way of sharing your soul with others. As you will see in my artwork: sometimes I am very flamboyant and always colorful, sometimes confidant and peaceful, other times angry or chaotic. I think all of my emotions; passions come out in my works. Sometimes I layer it on thick (paint and words) and other times I flirt with the canvas with light feathery strokes. My art reflects my beliefs in love, warmth, generosity, loyalty, and honesty. I’m inspired by science, fantasy, martial arts, architecture, and nature (especially water).

THE INTERVIEW

Q – What medium or mediums do you work with?

A – I adore experimenting; if I could start my life over I think I’d devote a little more time to being a mad scientist. With that said my preferred choice of mediums are acrylics (especially metallics, which are my signature), watercolors and mixed-media(could be anything from gels and sculpting mediums to glitter and papers.

Q – How long have you been an artist?

A – My Journey: From the time I could hold a crayon in hand, I was always drawing and painting. As a child, I was always encouraged in the arts and I had a natural affinity to sales. My grandmother and mom love to swap tales of me as a child. Apparently if anyone asked what I was doing my standard relay would be, “I’m making a “insert whatever”. For .25 cents you can have it!” I’m probably one of the first artists to have a gallery show at 3 years old. My parents gave dinner parties and since we had a hallway that extended from the front of our Victorian styled home to the back, I displayed my art there for all the neighbors/friends to see.

During high school I explored with different mediums and devoured books on technique, anatomy etc. I’ve always loved horses and after purchasing one, I began doing horse portraits in earnest. All of the folks at the farm wanted portraits of their horses, which I happily sold them for, I believe $20.0(may have been more..my elephant’s memory seems to have deserted me).

In the beginning of my development, I focused on realism, technical accuracy and traditional studies in portraits, still life and prospective. However, I’ve always loved dramatic, vibrant paintings, experimenting and breaking “rules”. These personality traits lead to bold, colorful creations using a much ‘looser’ style.

I was thrilled when I decided to take the plunge and become a professional artist full time in 2006. However, given my independent nature, I cried the first time my husband had to pay my marketing bill. Now I’m on the long road to winning back my “technology sales” income doing something I couldn’t stop doing if I was paid to. I believe what Ronald E Osborn said ‘Unless you try to do something beyond what you have already mastered you will never grow.’

Q – Do you have any formal training or are you self taught?

A – I think education is very important. So I’ve always devoured books, magazines and workshops that will help me learn to be better. In the technology industry, I studied sales techniques, technical documentation/skills and quizzed marketing folks on their statistics. I’m like a cat or ferret, curious above all else. I credit my success to having some wonderful mentors and co-workers. However, I believe that it is an artist’s responsibility to NOT follow the art world “rules” when creating. Perhaps there is an “outsider artist” in here somewhere!

Education:

Maryland Institute of Art- Summer School

Howard Community College-Liberal Arts

Capital College-Computer Engineering (before the internet..LOL)

Q – Do you have any favorite art supplies that you would like to recommend??

A- Two words… Dick Blick!!
Love their quality, prices and service!

I love watercolors and watercolor pencils because they are so easy to “take with you”. A lot of the watercolor works I do are created poolside on a beautiful day.

Q – Do you work with any specific styles or subject matter?

A – Painting and Art includes: Urban Cityscapes, Impressionistic Seascapes, Asian Abstract Expressionism and Fantasy with Surreal/Cubism Influences. I also use ACEOs (Art Cards, Editions & Originals)and SMA(Small Format Art) as my sketch book or paint whatever the heck you feel like resource.

Q – Can you recommend any books, videos or other resources that will help new artists?

A – I love the Artist’s Magazine. I would also recommend the little art instructional books you can purchase in craft stores and on-line.

Q – How do you get ideas to create a piece? What inspires you?

A – I wrote this guide for Ebay Artists…As a painter, our best work is done when we are inspired. But how do we get that inspiration? Here are some of the ways I gain my inspiration. Hope this guide helps you to get over the “creative block “hump” or be even more inspired!

1. Observe the world. I love the water and also big cities. So I can get inspiration by visiting a new vacation spot or city. Where are some of your favorite places to be? Using photos you’ve taken or other’s have given you permission to paint from, create your own happy place..chances are it’s someone else’s too.

2. Hobbies. What do you like to do? Sailing, Golfing, Animals etc can be great inspiration.

3. What are others creating and how can you make their style fit for you? Go to museums, galleries and visit ebay art.

4. Movies and Books. What are your favorites and if you were asked to design for a set or cover what would you paint?

5. Meditate or Think On It. This may sound corny but sometimes just sitting and thinking about your creative dream can bring wonderful new ideas.

6. Just Do It. Sometimes the simple act of putting a brush to paper can inspire you.

Hope you have some wonderful inspiration come your way soon.

Q – Are there any artists that have influenced you?

A – Some of the artists that have influenced me would be Picasso, Kandinsky, and Peter Max. Not sure if it’s true but I heard Peter Max is a “nice guy” and has qualities I strive for, namely: generosity, loyalty and friendliness.

Q – Do you have a website?

A –YES! I’m very excited to announce I just got on the ecommerce bandwagon (read more in my press release). My new site can be visited at: http://www.modernart.com. Please let me know your suggestions for improvements but bear in mind I know little about html and I’m not a wiz at spelling/typing either..haha. What I’m saying is let me know what’s wrong and right with my site but don’t judge me to harshly.

I love fun stuff like cards, mugs & apparel (including plus sizes) so I partnered with Zazzle to offer them here: www.zazzle.com/allyon1*

I love talking about my new stuff, looking at other people’s new stuff, learning new stuff and going to artsy places. Here’s where you can find information on my “super” sales, new artworks, press and artists/art related information I’ve discovered: http://pmillerabstractart.blogspot.com/

Q – Finally, do you have any last words of advice?

A – Follow your heart to happiness and paint what you love.

Feed your creative soul by meeting new people, reading lots of books and taking classes

“By cultivating the beautiful we scatter the seeds of heavenly flowers, as by doing good we cultivate those that belong to humanity”: Robert Heinlein

“To Change One’s Life: Start Immediately. Do it flamboyantly. No exceptions” – William James