pamgarrison

latest batch of paintings!

I'm happy to formally introduce my latest paintings to you!

I'll show each piece here with some close up shots and details. If you are interested in purchasing one, please email me at [email protected]  Once a painting has been purchased, I'll put sold on the painting photo here so you know it's no longer available.

{Ed: All Sold!!! I'm deeply grateful for the interest and support for my pursing my artistic passions. Thank you! And to those who were interested but missed out, there will be more for sure. xo Pam}

Here they are!!!

BRING ON SPRING $350.00 + SHIPPING   SOLD THANK YOU!

SIZED 18X24" WITH 1 3/4" SIDES CRADLED WOOD 

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DEW DROPS  $175.00 + SHIPPING  SOLD, THANK YOU!!!

SIZED 16X12 WITH 1/4" SIDES  ORIGINAL PAINTING ON WOOD

ACTUAL SHIPPING TO BE PAID BY PURCHASER AT TIME OF SHIPPING.

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THE HAPPIEST OF SUMMERS $220.00+ SHIPPNG  SOLD, THANK YOU!!!

SIZED 18X14 WITH 1/4" SIDES  ORIGINAL PAINTING ON WOOD

ACTUAL SHIPPING TO BE PAID BY PURCHASER AT TIME OF SHIPPING.

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SOFTLY BLOOMING  $75.00 + SHIPPING   SOLD, THANK YOU!!!!!

SIZED 6X6 WITH 2" SIDES  ORIGINAL PAINTING ON WOOD

ACTUAL SHIPPING TO BE PAID BY PURCHASER AT TIME OF SHIPPING.

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ENDLESS SUMMER $225.00 + SHIPPING SOLD, THANK YOU!!

SIZED 16X16 WITH 1" SIDES  ORIGINAL PAINTING ON WOOD

ACTUAL SHIPPING TO BE PAID BY PURCHASER AT TIME OF SHIPPING.

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A GENTLE SPRING   $185.00 + SHIPPING SOLD, THANK YOU!!!

 

SIZED 16X12 WITH 2" SIDES  ORIGINAL PAINTING ON WOOD

 

ACTUAL SHIPPING TO BE PAID BY PURCHASER AT TIME OF SHIPPING.

 

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FEISTY ONE $85.00 + SHIPPING SOLD, THANK YOU!!!

SIZED 8X10 WITH 1/8" SIDES  ORIGINAL PAINTING ON WOOD

ACTUAL SHIPPING TO BE PAID BY PURCHASER AT TIME OF SHIPPING.

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That's all I've got this round. Thank you for looking. More paintings in the future, of course! xo

p.s. Happy Saturday!! (If it still is Saturday in your part of the world!)

 

 

 

new paintings coming soon

 

I've been painting into the wee hours lately, tuning out and tuning in at the same time. 

Different styles are coming forth, different ideas, different directions. Fun. 

I'm working on wrapping up another little collection and plan to list here on the blog in the next few days. Last round was mostly larger paintings. This time there are just a couple larger and more smaller sizes, easier on the shipping, the wallet, and the wall ;). 

Hope you enjoyed the sneak peek...full paintings coming soon! 

 

latest paintings for sale

I've finished up some paintings and they are ready to share! Here are the ones offered for sale.  ;)

I'll show each piece here with some close up shots and details. If you are interested in purchasing one, please email me at [email protected] . First come, first served. Once a painting has been purchased, I'll put sold on the painting photo here so you know it's no longer available.

Here they are:

COTTON CANDY AT THE FAIR  $550.00 + SHIPPING SOLD THANK YOU!

SIZED 34X24 WITH 1.5" SIDES CRADLED WOOD 

ACTUAL SHIPPING TO BE PAID BY PURCHASER AT TIME OF SHIPPING.

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BLUEBERRY FIELD $450.00 + ACTUAL SHIPPING SOLD, THANK YOU!

SIZED 24X24 WITH 1.5"SIDES CRADLED WOOD

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SUNSET $175.00 + ACTUAL SHIPPING COSTS

12X16X2" CRADLED WOOD PAINTING

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SUMMER GARDEN $450 + ACTUAL SHIPPING SOLD, THANK YOU!

24X24X1.5" CRADLED WOOD PAINTING

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UNDER THE BIG SKY $550.00 + ACTUAL SHIPPING SOLD THANK YOU!

30X24X1.5" CRADLED WOOD PAINTING

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SUMMER FIESTA $150.00 +ACTUAL SHIPPING SOLD, THANK YOU!

11 X 14 X 2" CRADLED WOOD PAINTING

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And that's it for this go round. As always, I'm sure there will be more in the future too.

Thanks for looking and have a great weekend! xo

 

more paintings

Thanks for all the enthusiasm and kind words about the paintings on last post! I'm almost finished with most of them...of course, I'll let you know!

I've been working on this painting for my kids at the same time as the others. It's for their shared bathroom. Because it's for my kids, I felt a real freedom and no hesitation about whatever random idea came to my mind (and hands). I realize that I need to have this feeling when working on pieces for sale. I feel that way until it gets to a certain point and then I start to analyze a little. 

 

Oh gees, a bird...I think of that Portlandia sketch ever single time now...but I am their mama bird! 

At times, I felt like I was working on a collaboration with my friend Jennifer Mercede, as we have done before. This piece just feels closer to some of hers to me. 

All about little marks, and color combinations, and little hidden messages and meanings to my children.

I'm done with it (for the time being anyway), and am hanging it today! Another favorite part of painting. It's 13x34" and it's going to hang right above the towel bar. 

While I'm sharing, thought I'd show you this one too. It seemed to come out of nowhere, different than my usual, and I like that. There are so many, many layers under the scallops. It's called Sunset. To me it's the sunset you see in the sky when at the beach. 

Off to put on a finishing coat. I'll be listing the paintings I've been sharing here on the blog soon. Again, thanks for all the encouragement ;). xo

 

paintings in progress

I told you I've been inspired to paint lately! Quite a bit really. Some of these have been in progress for a long time. I am in no rush when painting. I enjoy losing myself in the process fully. As I'm sure you know, I like to work on a lot at once. Currently, I've got a bunch of bigger works in the works ;). 

I'm not starting any more until I finish these up. I'm determined to force myself to keep a focus, albeit one that allows me freedom. Here's the plan in that regard: if I work on say 8, I feel the freedom to follow any inspiration, but keeping it to the 8 challenges me to follow through to completion, (something that usually requires such a committment from me to get there I'm learning).

The next challenge will be letting at least some go if there are interested buyers. That part is still hard for me, especially with the big boys. It's not the time or money invested, it's the love.

I imagine that's the hard part of selling orginals for all those that make and sell any original art. I think that my solution to this should be to paint more often. This has been a goal of mine for a long time and one I've not made any substantial progess (I haven't been succeeding, which is what I wanted to feel more of in my life this year), but I still have hope and believe that I can and will.

I guess I'm learning prioritizing still, and organization, and I guess still realizing that we really can't do everything we want to. I never used to be a slow learner. Maybe it's a stubborn learner? Add learning grace to the list. 

So painting.

Yes.

I love the exploration...of color, mixing colors, color combinations, mark making. I think I could do it every day for 10 years and learn something about the medium and myself each time. Well, of course, with art we're always learning, aren't we?

One challenge when working on a lot at once, is to make sure they don't all look the same. Compliment each other like a collection perhaps, but stretching and reaching for different things on each. Not repeating. 

I love learning and exploring and creating in so many different ways. And I'm grateful you come by to share in my enthusiasm for making...even if it's not your chosen creative interest, you encourage me to press on and inspire me to pursue my whims. Thank you!

 

art sale ongoing!

How gorgeous is this original artwork by my uber talented friend Jennifer Mercede?!?

Love it soooo much! She credits one of my instagrams, this one below, for the inspiration:

Awesome, right? She's a creative genius in my book. Besides being one of the biggest sweethearts around. 

I feel like I'm hitting you with non stop promotion things here lately, but what can I say? My friends are up to good things!!! Right now Jennifer is having a sale on her etsy for this new collection of works 50% off ...so I figured you might want in on the goods...

She said the above was inspired by this photo on my blog:

and this art:

by this photo:

I love her brain. And I love how inspiration works...so differently in all of us! 

See the art sale here. 

I'm off to paint...she's totally inspired me! xo

paintings in progress • january '14

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Been stealing some time for painting recently, and if feels good. Things feel like they're making a different kind of sense to me.

Time spent wearing one of my painting aprons is good time. (I just sewed one of my samplers and a bunch of fabric scraps over an apron that was covered in paint one day, figure I'll cover it up again with paint eventually.)

I'm currently trying to focus on 3 larger new paintings. Well, they've been works in progress for awhile, so the term "new" is flexible. I'm really enjoying them and feeling things in my painting style and process shift a little. Creative exploration always leads somewhere...sometimes places more pleasing than others ;).

All I know for sure is, the more I paint, the more I want to paint. I still do not have a dedicated painting space set up and that makes me frustrated as well as annoyed with myself. It makes things harder and wastes time. As soon as I finish the art journal e-course, that should be first on the agenda. We'll see.

These are feeling close to finished and it feels exciting. I'm hoping I'll be able to let them go right away, right now I'm feeling too attached. It's always a process. 

I love exploring texture, and color, and form, and line quality, and and and...

It's a fun ride...

and it's Friday...hopefully more painting in store this weekend!

Happy Friday to you out there!!!

 

paintings in progress

Hello. Hope you've been having a lovely long weekend (for those of you in the States, that is). We have here. My daughter came home for the weekend on Thursday night and my son had off Friday, so I've been checked out of most everything other than family since then. She's left to head back to school now, always a little sad to see her go, but it's also good to check back into the other parts of my life too. All as it should be, I suppose. 

Before my week sort of stopped last week, I was spending a lot of time painting. I'm looking forward to getting back to it, hopefully, a little today even. 

Some pieces saw good progress, and will be showing up in my etsy shop soon. Others, I found to be quite trying on my patience with my painting process. 

I'd like to spend hour after hour, day after day, learning new things about paint, color, shape, tools, myself. I like the challenge of risking "ruining" what I like to see what else may develop. That said, often, I wish I could go backwards and undo, but I know that is not what this creative pursuit is about for me, but instead, I need to push through and discover something else. I'm also learning patience, with myself, with my ideas, with paint and process...or being presented the opportunity to learn it anyway...working on it. Always something to work on, but happy to be (mostly) enjoying the journey. Grateful that I have those that stop by here to share the journey and creative pursuits with. xo

saturday around here

Ah Saturday, so much love for Saturday!

Here's a bit of what I'm up to in photo essay style ;). I'm working on a big "adventures in paper marbling" post,

and still doing some clean up from that above mentioned marbling!

Reflected on some recent paintings in progress and realized that no matter how badly I want to paint, I need to wait for daylight, or set up better lighting so that I am not displeased (as I am today) with the colors that looked so good when mixed in the dark. I went to town on three different paintings and frankly, wish I hadn't. They'll all be worked on some more of course, just sometimes wish I could excercise restraint!

Developing patience when painting is something I'm working on. Add it to the list.

I am however, still loving the colors of the recently made garlands, even though those were made by the light of the moon too. We're having a non-traditional Fall over here and I like it!

And I still love the colors on the big painting I made for our dining room with a little bit help (it was worth the arm twisting I had to do) from my family. I want to get some more giant panels built, I'm craving painting really big.

Taking stock of the recent stitching, progress on this one is slow and steady. I do have more of these larger sized embroidery sampler patterns restocked in my etsy by the way. 

A friend of mine just started up Project Life, and after she came over yesterday to show me her album, and talk all about it, I found myself inspired to open it up and work on it again. I stayed up super late editing and printing photos and am wanting to keep at it! It's always fun when I make the time. I am definitely doing it next year, but am going to develop some habits and processes that will make it easier for me to stay caught up. (More on that thinking to come.)

Always like to enjoy a little time outside on Saturday morning. 

Seeing the seaglass gathering at the bottom of a candle jar does make me want to head to the beach though...but for now, I'm going to get back to that paper marbling clean up. First things first!

 

Enjoy your Saturday!!! 

monday madness

I mentioned last post that we had company last week through the weekend. Love seeing my brother and his family, hate feeling like I can't "check out" from my regular life and responsibilities without feeling more and more behind. Certainly, I've got work to do in that area, nothing new there. Since my schedule of wants/needs/must do-s is a constant problem, it's no surprise that I started their visit already feeling behind. 

Last week I read this post on balancing work and life and liked it a lot. Even though balance and structure don't come naturally to me, I sure do love reading about others that do seem to have a handle on it, and how they approach their schedule. I figure if I can emplement one tiny aspect, eventually, it could all have a cumulative effect. 

So although I felt a bit of Monday madness, the insanity of being run by thoughts of things I need to do (especially emails- why am I so bad at emails?!?), I decided to allow myself time to paint today, as I have been craving it and haven't had a chance for far too long. Painting is something I want to have in my daily schedule on a frequent basis. 

It helps me feel right side up. 

And now that I feel I can breathe a little better having calmed the racing thoughts in my head, now I'll work on getting to those emails. It's funny, if it were excercise, I wouldn't feel the need to justify it, because it seems our society is thumbs way up for exercising, (even before emails haha). Jenny recently shared her guilt over painting during the day in this post,  I found it interesting food for thought too. So many things to think about as I start to get really hard core about the question I keep asking myself: "what is the dream, how do I dream of spending my days?". 

Once I really figure out the answer to that question, I'm going to go about a plan to make it so. I think I've really been living by default, letting the days get away from me because I don't have that plan crystal clear in my mind. I can't ask, "does this help me achieve that?" before saying yes or no to doing something, if I can't really see the goal for living in my mind. By not making a master plan ( living all-in?), I've not gotten to where I want to be, not living fully how I want to live. As always, a work in progress...

...but for sure, painting, I want to spend a lot of time painting!

 

art along the ride

So you know, like everyone's life, mine has ups and downs, twists and turns, and some potholes and pepples in the road. Right now we're going through one of the less than perfect parts. It'll be fine, it's life: a long journey with lots of opportunity for growth. But last night, when I was really feeling the stress of it all, the uncertainty etc., I found myself with a huge desire to paint. And so I did.

And it felt so good.

I've had many larger paintings in progress for quite awhile now, working on them when I get a chance (which is never enough for my liking). 

I posted the above photo on instagram and questioned whether I was processing or escaping and the truth is that I'm sure it was both. More reasons I love art and making so much. As my friend Jenny's business moto states; "ART SAVES".

I totally agree with that.  

I use my art journal for processing as well as escaping and play too. Here's today's spread:

Not trying to be dramatic, that Khalil Gibran quote is a little over the top for our current struggles, but I like the slant on appreciating your journey, that even the hard times are good in the end. This sentiment below is probably better for now :) 

And so I shall. And wherever I go, ART will for sure be along for the ride!!!

 

jennifer mercede, awesome artist

By now you know I love Jennifer Mercede and her art too. On a daily basis she lives the life of an artist more than anyone I know. Recently, she's been up to some new heights with her art (literally and figuratively actually!)...check out her 24'x 8' mural outside The Children's Museum in Grand Rapids Michigan:

 

Isn't it awesome?!?!?! I'm so proud of her! I know it looks like it came together so easily, but in all honesty, she's been working hard on this for months- prep and planning, let alone the bravery to even enter such a contest, and then the execution, and the video she made with her friend?!? Seriously, so excited for her. 

She did all this as part of a contest, Artprize.com . 

I hope if you are anywhere near the area, you'll stop by and say hi, and vote for her to win the contest!!! I wish I could. Especially because winning will help her to continue to share her art with the world in a big way. Plus, she's such a sweetheart, I know you'll love her like I do. If you are like me, and too far away to attend, you can help by spreading the word, you never know who might make a difference. I know she'd appreciate it, and so would I. After all, we're all in this together, pursuing a creative life and supporting others in doing so, right? 

Jennifer, so, so proud of you!!! Congratulations!!! You are already the big winner in my book!!! xoxoxo 

last of this set now on etsy

Over the weekend I was able to wrap up and list the last of this word art series I've been doing. If you have any interest in taking a look, they're over here on my etsy. 

These are pretty much notes to self that I thought others might need to hear (via sight) on occasion. 

Thanks for stopping by, I hope your week is off to a great start. I'm feeling positive about the promise that this one holds. I don't always love Mondays, but I'm learning to appreciate them for their fresh start-ness. I know, that's not a word, but you get the drift. xo

saturday

 

I hope you're having a lovely Saturday!!!

a few new pieces just listed on etsy

I love this word art series. This one might be my new favorite, no wait...

or is it this one?

Who am I kidding? They are like children, each loved for different reasons, I can't pick a favorite. All I know is I love pushing paint around and writing with ink, so it's a nice blend of the two for me. Then there's the love of color...you've heard it all before here. I'm just happy to be offering what I consider affordable original art, and happy that some of you snap them up! I've got a couple non script pieces in the mix this time too. 

If you want to see more, they are listed in my etsy shop now. 

And, if you want to learn how I make these in person, join Jennifer Mercede and I in class this October in Brooklyn!!! 

xo

teaching in brooklyn

It's no secret that I love Jennifer Mercede and her art, but what you may not know is that we share a similarity in our approach to creating; a playfulness, a freedom, a focus on permission vs. specific processes. Of course, we both have our processess, and will share them- for both painting and art journaling, but we'll also be there to help you take the leap or loosen up or give you permission and encouragement to create the way your heart longs to. 

Jennifer and I have taught together before and are excited to present new exercises and content on a new coast!

click here for a little more info about the class this October:

Recently, I visited her art studio and got to see some pieces up close and personal. Love love love.

This pet portrait of hers hangs in an animal hospital in Portland:

Of course, we had to play a little too while I was there. Here she is doing a blind contour of me:

and some of the art journaling and painting I was doing at the same time:

 

Can't wait to see who's able to join us! 

To sign up, contact Dara Troshane: 

[email protected]

new original paintings coming soon to etsy

I've been steadily working on a new batch of fresh paintings to list over on my etsy. These are all word art paintings, written on with ink and then sealed with varnish which really makes the colors pop. I'm listing them now, so they should be live by tomorrow for those that want to check them out! 

 

pushing paint

 

Lately, I've been sneaking in time here and there to explore paint and play with color. I've determined that I've just got to set up a permanent area in the garage dedicated to painting so that it's easier to fit it in regularly. I want to paint often and I am determined to find a way to make that more feasable. The two easels I got a few months ago at the flea market (for $40.00 each) have been a great start in that direction. Enough so that it's been the motivation for a bit more work on cleaning up and creating an "art studio" area.

One night, while working on the larger paintings on the easels, I grabbed some wood to clean my brushes on, you can see the instagram I took above. 

 I couldn't wait to see them when I got up the next morning, to remember where I had left everything. I couldn't resist doodling in pencil on them then and there.

I've since added more paint and they look more like this now:

Sometimes I really wish I could go backwards, but it's ok, it's all experimentation. A lot of learning going on while exploring. I was focusing on mixing colors and trying different things like large sweeping arm strokes vs. tight wrist movement:

I had so much fun playing with black ink, that a little series began forming:

I plan to get back out into the garage and finish these pieces up so I can list them in my etsy soon. (I'll mention it here before going live on etsy, of course. ) It's fun when something unexpected shows up, and I know it wouldn't happen if I wasn't spending time puttering with paint in the first place. 

And speaking of...if you want to putter with paint too...my sweet  and super talented artist friend Jennifer Mercede has a live class coming up soon at Studio Crescendoh. I can't wait to have her push me to explore in different ways, so I discover different things and grow my painting practice. I think there are a couple spots left, so join in if painting is at all your thang!

listing some original art on etsy

I've been working on listing some paintings over on my etsy. I'm almost done so they should go live soon. (I wait until they are all listed so that you can see all your choices.) This set is smaller (and therefore, more reasonable priced) vs. the larger, oversized paintings that I often do. Hopefully those of you that have wanted some but didn't have the room on your walls or budget can get some this round.

I'm always making more though, so no worries if small isn't your thing.

Here are some teaser shots :)

I hope they find their way to homes that love them as much as I do! 

{Ed: They're up! www.pamg.etsy.com}

inside the water color set sketch book

Probably not a big surprise to hear that I love watercolor paint sets. I guess one could say I collect them, but all kinds, not just vintage ones, every kind, from new to old, inexpensive dime store sort to fancy art store kinds.  So what's a girl to do in order to remember what she has? What the colors look like, what the sets contain? I decided to document them all in one sketchbook, like I mentioned yesterday. Here are the pages that I've done so far:

I've got just a few more to enter, for now...until some more work their way into my life. I don't know if you read on the photos my writing about the sets, but my oldest purchase was one from college, I've had this love for a long time ;). Among my favorites are the one I wrote about yesterday, the two I bought in Paris, and this one, my most recent purchase, from an antique store:

Look at the tiny porcelain water dish!

But really, they are all so loved, look at these colors:

What's not to love, right?!?!