www.pamwingard.com BIO: Pamela focuses on expressive brushwork to create her abstract landscapes and contemporary florals. After painting in oils for years, she now paints primarily in acrylics, using oil sticks, charcoal, and oil pastels to add layers of line, color, and texture. Her work explores the connection to places that hold special memories or ones she hopes to visit, evoking a sense of place in her work. She is inspired by travel and spending time outdoors and is drawn to coastal images. She grew up in small towns in the Midwest and later the West, where she spent time near the water, read stacks of library books, drew in her sketchbook, and dreamed of being a traveling photojournalist. She received an AA degree in Graphic Design from The Art Institutes, a BS in Business Administration from Utah State University, and an MBA from the University of South Carolina. She worked as a graphic designer, an account executive, and a project manager before becoming a full-time artist. Pamela’s work is available online and in various locations in the Southeast. She works from her home studio in Charleston, South Carolina. ARTIST STATEMENT: I paint to capture an emotion, the 'feel' of a place, whether a marsh, a vineyard, a Western sky, or the ocean. The beauty of nature makes me feel peaceful and close to God. I enjoy being outdoors, and travel has always been an essential part of my life, so I attempt to reflect that on my canvas. I like the imperfectness of bold, expressionistic brushstrokes, layers, and line. I used to paint more realistically because I thought I was supposed to. Then I realized that I’m not ‘supposed' to do anything but be who I am. I paint much like I cook. I have a recipe in mind but throw in a few ingredients that sound good together. I don’t measure, and I find my way as I go. Much like the way I’d like to live my life, now that I think about it.