About

ABSTRACT FINE ARTIST

"There is always hope, for when nothing else is left we have that..."

I began my artistic journey roughly 35 years ago, turning to art as a way to unwind and relieve stress. I started with watercolors and later transitioned to acrylics. However, it wasn't until 2013, when I left my corporate job, that I truly embraced art as a career.
Over the years, I honed my artistic skills, dedicating at least six hours each day to my craft in my makeshift studio in Sammamish, Washington. In the beginning, my work leaned towards representational art with a somewhat whimsical and precise style. But then, I had a realization that abstract art, which captures the essence of emotions rather than obvious representations, held deeper meaning for me.
It took me a while to find my unique artistic voice, and that breakthrough occurred in 2018-2019 when I discovered the world of oil and cold wax medium. This medium, which eschews brushes in favor of larger tools, pushed me to embrace boldness and looseness.
Admittedly, I didn't immediately take to this medium, but I persisted and soon uncovered a realm of creative possibilities. It allowed me to convey the innermost stories of my thoughts and musings.
Every abstract piece I create begins with a profound reflection on life's chaos, marked by wild and unbridled strokes and efforts. These elements gradually transform into a carefully constructed narrative of inner peace and hope.
The end result emerges from layers of paint and dedicated effort, revealing a burst of vibrant colors and tranquility, balanced with just the right tensions to make each work of art engaging and thought-provoking.

The Technique

Admittedly, I didn't immediately take to this medium, but I persisted and soon uncovered a realm of creative possibilities. It allowed me to convey the innermost stories of my thoughts and musings.
Every abstract piece I create begins with a profound reflection on life's chaos, marked by wild and unbridled strokes and efforts. These elements gradually transform into a carefully constructed narrative of inner peace and hope.

Oil and Cold Wax Medium
I create my art using oil and cold wax on custom birchwood panels. I apply these mediums with silicone scrapers, squeegees, and soft brayers, resulting in a blend of opaque and transparent passages that offer intriguing color shifts, inviting viewers to explore depth and form. Many tools for marking are used for texture and removing areas of paint to reveal treasures underneath. Solvents may be used in a variety of ways to expose areas and create mysterious drips and spots as veils of mystery.

As I build up eight to ten layers of paint, the artwork gradually comes to life, revealing its purpose and meaning.

Encaustic Medium

I've recently ventured into encaustic art, a technique involving heated beeswax and pigments. It allows me to create unique textures and depth by applying molten wax onto wooden panels and fusing layers with heat. Inspired by my Montana surroundings, I'm using encaustic to evoke earthy, grounded
experiences in my work.

The end result emerges from layers of paint and dedicated effort, revealing a burst of vibrant colors and tranquility, balanced with just the right tensions to make each work of art engaging and thought-provoking.

Tools and Medium

Works are accomplished in oil and cold wax on custom made birchwood panels. The oil and cold wax are applied using silicone scrapers, squeegees, and soft brayers, revealing opaque passages alongside passages of transparency providing unique color shifts that allow the viewer to experience depth and shape.

What others are saying

To say that she understands the need to focus on beauty and breath in moments that recharge ones spirit might be an understatement.

It has been said about Pam’s work “Pam’s artwork is uplifting, colorful and highly imaginative, always providing enjoyment and hope to patients and staff in our many hospitals and clinics. Her sense of joy and her commitment to her sense of color and design just add extra enjoyment to everything she does. Thank you, Pam for all the healing that your artwork gives to the world.” Kathy, Art Consultant

Others have gone on to write that: “I first encountered Pam’s artwork at an auction. It was love at first sight. Her paintings use layers of vibrant color to evoke emotion and thought from the viewer. I look at the painting every day and see something new. Pam creates art that you never get tired of looking at.” Jeannine-Jeannine-ArtistArtist and Client

And “With a flair for colors, Pamela brings you into her world. I own 3 of her original works and I find myself lost in contemplation every time. Pamela is a master in her field, her choices of colors, designs and details leave me in awe.“ Ray - Client

Pam now lives and works in Northern Montana, out in the wild in the quiet surrounded by nature, animals, and big thoughts.

She is living her dream in her brand new studio in Montana with her husband and Havanese pup. Her goal is to help other artist find their way, help non artist relax and enjoy learning more about art, and playing with her friends (with art of course).

RESUME if you want more...

Background

Pam was raised in the rural south and wanted to leave as soon as she realized there were all these beautiful places in the world to visit. Her early childhood and teen years were challenging , her family was poor and struggled with, alcoholism, abuse, and limited opportunities.

She joined the military service and served in exotic places, like Japan, and visited many countries. She lived in many locations in her adult life; looking for a place to call home.

Her military career gave her a wonderful career in technology for many years, it was the bread and butter that fed her career choices.

In 2013, she left her corporate role in the technology industry and turned to the one thing that had always been her ‘go to’ activity for most of her life when things would get difficult; making art.

Pam is married to Steve and has one grown daughter. She lives in Bigfork Montana with her husband and their little Havanese, Cocoa.

This is home and she is making art that she hopes will make others feel the joy she finds in her country home and studio after many years on the search.

PAST AND CURRENT EXHIBITS

shows and representation

Water's Edge Winery Jan 23

Bigfork Cultural Arts Center-current
Abstract August - BigFork Arts and Cultural Center 2022

Gray Sky Gallery - Seattle, WA - current
Montana Modern Fine Art - Kalispell MT - current Radius Gallery Missoula, MT-current

Permanent Collections

Evergreen Hospital, Kirkland, WA Overtake Hospital, Bellevue, WA
Seattle Cancer Hospital, Seattle, WA Northwestern Nazarine College, Nampa ID

Awards 2019-2021

Lynn Hanson – The Best of the Best October 2019
Blink Art Comes Alive Cincinnati OH, Oct-Dec 2019
Tacoma American Art Company – Elemental Rhapsody, Sept – Nov, 2019
Matzke Fine Art - September-October 2019
American Art Company- Tacoma WA Sept 21- Nov 18 2019
Sotheby’s Kirkland & Seattle through Dec 2019
Seattle Art Fair 2019
A Brush With Color - Scott Millo Gallery Anacortes May2-June 3 2019 (postcard cover)
Scott Milo – A brush with Color (upcoming May 2019)
Vetiver, Issaquah 2019 June-July
Blink/ADC Cincinnati OH
Women Painters Gallery- Columbia tower Seattle

Elemental Abstracts (solo show) Gallery Lynn Hansen-Seattle Feb- March 2019
Sotheby’s Kirkland & Seattle- Dec-February 2019
Small and Powerful show-Women Painters- Columbia Tower -Nov- Jan 2019

Play of Light – Matzke- Oct-Nov 2018
Edmonds Studio Tour – September 2018
Portraits With Without People- WPW-May 2018
Kirkland Studio Tour- May 2018
Visual Impressions- Ryan James, Kirkland WA April-May 2018
The Smell of Turquoise and Other Delicious Colors – Lynn Hanson, Seattle March 2018
1-3-5 Fine Art Show SLC, UT Nov 2017
Utah Art Oct 2017-December 2017
Columbia City Gallery 2016- fall 2017
Small and Powerful, Women Painters of Washington- Columbia Tower Winter 2017-18
Utah Art Market- Oct 2017
Ombu Edmonds – August 2017
Threads – Women Painters Of Washington-Columbia Tower Summer 2017
Workshop and Solo Show Lynn Hanson Gallery Seattle March 2017 Run of The River – Show and Workshop April 2017
EAFA Abstract Show- Jan-Feb 2017
White River Museum – Nov-Dec 2016
Blakely Hall-November-Jan 2016
Live Auction- Kirkland Arts Center 2016
Vetiver- Solo show October-November 2016
ICON show, Juror Award-“Sisters of My Soul” 2016
H20 –What’s it worth?-Columbia city Gallery 2016
July Fab 15-FASO
Juror Award - “Between Heartbeats”
EAFA Abstract show 2016
Utah Arts Market – SLC, UT
Black History Month – Alki Arts 2016

“Perpetrating Beauty” ‘artist-talk' at Pine Lake Covenant Church Feb 2016
“Anything Goes”: Art East, Blakely Hall Nov-Dec 2015
“Art in You” Carillon Point Nov 20-23, 2015

"Perpetrating Beauty": Pamela Beer – November, Northstone Auction: Art Beat Kirkland Arts Center Oct 2015
Fremont Art Walk-August 2015
Edmonds Art Walk -June 2015

Fremont Art Walk-April 2015
Edmonds Art Walk -February 2015
Pine Lake Covenant Church 9-2014-6-2015
Fremont Art Walk April, August 2015
Edmonds Art Walk February, June 2015
“Perpetrating Creativity,” June 2014, Northstone Realty.
East Side Fine Arts for the Abstract show at Seattle Design Center Mar 2014-May 2014.

FAV15, October 2013, BoldBrush contest.
Surface Treatment-Era Living, Sep-Mar 2013.
Pacific Regent Tower 1 in Bellevue, Washington- Dec 2013-Jan 2014. Daniel Smith favorite -2013.
Her works were used in slides and marketing publications for the October 2013 Creating Space for Joy. Additionally, she was the keynote speaker for this event and led a creative experience track. Welcome Room of PLCC from 2001 to 2011
Pickering Barn Award 2002
Second Place for Edmunds Art fair 2002

Teaching

Private Instruction
Mentor at mastrius.com (Canada) current Workshop at Bigfork Arts and Cultural Center Nov 2022
Instructor at Kirkland Arts Center, WA quarterly (2017-2020) Instructor at ArtEast Issaquah, WA(2018)

Education

Art and Success (Pamela Coughey)2022
Encaustic arts (R&F Instruction, Julie Snidle)2022
McLaughlin Oil and cold Wax Workshop- Berkely, CA2019
Art 2 Life Academy (Nicholas Wilton)2017-2018
Private art lessons and workshops
Undergraduate in Business 1992/Graduate in Psychology 2007 USAF 1979-1983