Today we’d like to introduce you to Pamela Harmon.
Pamela, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Hello L.A. Voyager, and thank you for introducing me to your readers today!
My path to becoming a commercial artist began in the mid-1980s in Los Angeles. A fashionable friend with a flamboyant art collection asked me if I would paint something for him that I thought best suited his taste and style. As we were very close, I knew he treasured his unique custom shoe collection that he had both commissioned and acquired over many years and through extensive travel. I curated and arranged some of his shoes how I wanted to paint them, took some pictures (back before digital cameras), and left. I hung the images on the wall of my small apartment and began to create a 60×60 colorful textured painting (which was the largest size I could fit in my apartment). He was delighted with the outcome and I was over the moon with my first commission!
I kept painting for my own interest and fulfillment, finding inspiration through nature and experiences, both locally and globally, when fortunate to travel while getting commissions, sales, and gallery shows through colleagues and clients, as well as word-of-mouth connections.
I’ve been inspired by the shapes, textures and colors in nature, whether found in the remote desert wilderness or in the heart of the Southern California urban environment, I’ll incorporate and manipulate these organic shapes and colors into my paintings. The advent of the internet expanded opportunities and exposure for my paintings, and I’ve enjoyed being able to meet many new clients and fans online.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Of course, being an artist and the conducting the business of art are two very different things. While I love the process and creation of a work, I’m not keen on the marketing and promotion aspects of the business side of things. I really want to be as genuine and earnest as possible, so it’s very difficult for me to engage in commercial self-promotion. Fortunately, social media has offered the opportunity to express my own thoughts in a very direct manner, and sites like Chairish allow me to participate in the commercial side of the art business at comfortable personal level. It has taken me many years and several creative incarnations to feel confident enough in art as business to seem possible as a primary source of income.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Over the years, I’ve explored many different creative and inspirational processes that intrigued me, most of which I discovered through exhibitions or studying/engaging with other artists. The joy in the additive nature of these experiences is that it is constantly evolving and leading to new opportunities for visual expression.
A current example is a process called asemic writing which is a type of writing that has no semantic content and leaves the reader to fill in the blanks and the meaning. I actually began using this process without knowing the term, and was excited to make this discovery, as it allowed me to connect with other artists using this technique. In addition, it resonates with my current direction in abstract painting. I’ve been developing a style that has become an ongoing series on the topic and included some images of the works here.
Fundamentally, I’m fascinated by relationships between color and objects often found in the patterns and textures of the natural and man-made world. Travel and exploration are key to this, as they are in abundance, whether locally or globally. After returning from a trip to Southeast Asia in August, I was energized and inspired by the colors found at the temples in Bangkok and the evolving urban architecture and vegetation of Singapore.
How do you think about luck?
Luck is a term packed with nuance. First, I’m always grateful I’ve been surrounded by supportive friends, family, and artists and that I have the luxury to pursue creative endeavors. If you’re truly inspired and able to work toward your goals, opportunities and ‘luck’ will be maximized. In the end, if you’re always working through an iterative creative process and making art that feels true, you’ll find personal fulfillment and make opportunities that lead to even greater creative expression and joy.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.pamelaharmon.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pamelaharmonart
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pamelaharmonart
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/PamelaHarmonArt
- Other: https://www.chairish.com/shop/pamelaharmon
Image Credits
Images of Pamela: Emily Hafele @emthegemphotography (Instagram) Shot of temple exterior vacation photo by Pamela Harmon
