We recently connected with Andrea Pate and have shared our conversation below.

Andrea, appreciate you joining us today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

I am an artist proficient in several mediums. I enjoy learning new art forms and was always curious about pyrography (wood burning). One afternoon, I went to a craft store to replenish some art supplies and decided to buy a pyrography pen. I took it home and got a piece of wood from my husband’s workshop and sketched a simple bird design on the wood. I didn’t know anything about pyrography. I set the heat on my pen to the highest setting and pressed down hard into the wood. When my burning was done, it was far from perfect. My scorch marks went in all directions on the wood, and I didn’t know how to use the pen properly. I spent hours sketching out different designs and trying new techniques until I discovered what worked for me. I could have shaved some time off my learning process if I watched some tutorials or bought “How To” books but, I learned by trial and error. I believe that is what made me jump at the opportunity to work with TRUArt and create online tutorials for beginning artists. I think one of the most important skills or techniques you can learn is shading. Learning how to master shading by adjusting the temperature on your pen or by the amount of pressure you use while burning, can help you with creating a consistent and even burn and add depth to your design by giving the illusion of shadows and highlights. When you apply shading to your artwork, you have the ability to create a more realistic and three-dimensional image. Looking back through my journey, I can honestly say I’ve been my biggest obstacle. I tend to get in my head and create self-doubt. I’ve learned over time to give myself grace and be patient while I’m learning something new. No one starts a new artform and becomes an expert overnight. You will make mistakes. I have learned to embrace those mistakes and in return have learned new techniques in the process.

Andrea, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I have loved drawing since I was a child. When most kids would be hanging out with their friends, I was at home with a pencil in my hand. I would look at photos and study the lines and details of the image. I would spend endless hours trying to draw the image exactly the way it looked on the photograph. In college, I received an art scholarship. As years passed, I worked on several projects for the company I worked for. When my children were young, I left my job to stay at home with them. At that time of my life, I became more involved with art. I got into clay sculpting and ended up being commissioned by a chocolate shop to create display pieces. I love learning new mediums and wanted to branch out and teach myself pyrography. I fell in love with this art form instantly. I was making wall signs, lazy susans, various home decor, and company logo signs. Within a couple of months, I was selling art at local shops, art shows, and craft fairs. I donated pieces to be auctioned for charity. As my skillset improved, I began taking on bigger and more rewarding projects. I began holding workshops and I received a sponsorship with TRUArt where I created online tutorials. I was commissioned to do production work for a major cigar brand and approached by a publishing company to write a “How To” book. My artwork has been sold on Amazon and at Hobby Lobby. I still enjoy taking on new challenges. In the past couple of years, I have also taken up watercolor which has helped my art grow and evolve. I like to think outside the box which has helped me reach new clients such as realtors, wedding venues, and party planners hosting baby events. I like to mix different mediums to create unique, one-of-a-kind pieces. I have been featured in several magazines and won many awards. With every accomplishment, I also gain more experience which in return pushes me to achieve more goals.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

Making something someone will cherish or can gift to a loved one is the most fulfilling part of my job as an artist. It is an amazing feeling when someone appreciates the effort and detail put into each piece. There is nothing better than making something with your own hands, especially when that very thing you created adds joy to someone else’s life. When your art becomes part of someone else’s story, you know you’ve made something truly wonderful.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

My dream is to be able to license my artwork to major brands, illustrate children’s books, and continue making things that people will enjoy and display in their homes. I want to encourage other’s skill development and help them achieve success in their own goals.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://patespyrography.weebly.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patespyrography/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/patespyrography
• Other: https://linktr.ee/Patespyrography (Links to all socials, achievements and articles)
  
  Image Credit:
  The reference photo that inspired this burning was taken by David Yarrow Photography