We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Pamela A Torres a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Pamela, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.
I would have to say one of my big risks was entering art into this annual event called Valentween. It’s a romantic goth exhibit that is arranged every February on the second floor of the St. Pete Art Lofts by Brandy Stark, a wire sculptor and teacher who has a passion for the paranormal (as well as her adorable pugs!) I consider this a risk because I live in New Port Richey and, in retrospect, making it to St. Petersburg was an exhausting chore. It’s too much driving, the parking situation is a nightmare (sort of like Red Bank, NJ) and I sometimes had to strategically fit my larger entries in the back of my car because they don’t fit in the trunk. Don’t get me wrong, this effort sometimes did pay off and I’m grateful that Brandy gave me the opportunity to show off my works even though none of them sold. One eyeball themed Valentween occurred in 2020 BC (before COVID) and was hosted and judged by Dr. Paul Bearer II who had some knowledge of art history. He picked my “Butterfly Blessings” for third place and that was one of my happier highlights. I felt honored. From then on, the shows got smaller thanks to the pandemic and eventually it got too expensive to hire a judge, so from 2022 onward guests who came to the Lofts were each given a black heart-shaped sticker to place on the wall next to whichever drawing, painting or sculpture they liked best. The more hearts you get, the more votes you get, and the better chance you as an artist have of earning first, second or third place. At first, I thought it was a good idea and that the decision would be fair. But it wasn’t, because it became a popularity contest. I remember the Valentween event Bobby and I went to last year was “Kiss of Death” (AKA vampires) and there was another female painter who submitted a simple and pretty nice vampire portrait that reminded me of Terror on Church Street. My husband and I arrived to the Lofts early and noticed a small crowd of parents and children arrived to stick 20-something black hearts on the wall next to that picture. Bobby made a guess that this woman was a kindergarten teacher and the children were from the school she worked in. What bothered and discouraged me was that, to make a long story short, this aforementioned artist won the 1st Place blue ribbon and the $100 BEFORE the contest started. The whole thing felt like it was fixed, and it made me realize that how the winners at Valentween were determined had nothing to do with talent and hard work and everything to do with how many people you know and how many of your friends show up. From that day on, I promised myself not to drive down to St. Pete ever again. It wasn’t worth the disappointment. One of the reasons I began participating in online art contests is it’s far easier and cheaper than make a long, sluggish commute to a public gallery. Plus, since I got picked as a finalist more than once in 2023, it has helped me quickly grow a resume, expose my art to wider audiences, and build a good reputation.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I don’t have a full blown career yet. For nearly 14 years, I’ve been working full-time in this company called Providence Engravings, which specializes in making Employee of the Month plaques, cat and dog tags, and name badges for various occupations (though a majority are in medical fields). I know it would be nice to be a full time artist, earning and saving money on the side from commissions, which is why I’ve spent several years trying to perfect my craft. What makes me stand out as an artist is I don’t paint much at all. I mainly utilize soft pastel and learned to juxtapose that with Sharpee marker and colored pencil (the latter is useful for portraiture because it gives me better control over skin tones). Once in a while I even apply white out, depending on the subject matter. I used to make my own illustrated greeting cards for family and friends and then I tried to expand and add more detail to larger pieces for the House of Shadows gallery in Tampa and the Carrollwood Cultural Center (among other places). Lately I’ve been attempting to create more original images for specific virtual contests based on overall theme, doodling thumbnail sketches on paper and then gradually letting the art take shape on paper or Bristol. Not too long ago, I discovered on Facebook an ad for a coffee table art competition where artists have to put together original works inspired by the caffeinated beverage, so I am in the process of completing an Deco-style 18 X 24 inch picture of a ballerina fairy emerging from an Italian espresso machine. Last December I created a bleeding tooth mushroom nude titled “Hydnellum Princess” for Art-Collide’s Beautiful | Grotesque exhibition. I am hoping to improve my skills enough to more easily fit clients’ needs should I be offered commissions. I have sold a few pictures here and there, but mainly to friends, family members and people my husband and I got to know in the community theater circle. If I was going to start my own business, it would be called Madam Melva, Inc. I never know how each finished piece will turn out, to be honest, but I at least try to let the muse guide me.
How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?
Follow Italy’s example and start a nationwide Renaissance so that artists everywhere can be granted the credibility, income, status and respect they deserve. The Medici Family were patrons responsible for countless talented painters, architects and sculptors being rescued from poverty and obscurity, so I believe our White House politicians need to follow suit.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
Never ever seek perfection. It took me decades to heal from the years I spent going to Middletown High School North, Brookdale Community College and Monmouth University, which I feel had killed my creativity, dismantled my self-confidence, and for the longest time murdered my passion. It took me years to regain the desire to pick up a pencil again, but I’m glad I did. Over time, I noticed on my Facebook gallery that my craft did improve and it’s allowed to me to take bolder risks and tackle new subject matter. I don’t expect my artworks to be perfect…just good enough to be marveled at.
Contact Info:
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2731857863555429&type=3
- Other: Perpetual | Influx Gallery (influx-gallery.com) https://www.curetoday.com/art-gallery