We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Pamela Moore. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Pamela below.

Pamela, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Are you able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen?

I have not been able to make a full time living with my artwork as yet. Art has always been my passion but life kept me from this path earlier. I became a Mom at the age of 20 years old. I obtained a job that turned into a full time 35 year career. That career ended with a horrible tragedy that required me to retire and raise my two grandchildren. They are now grown so I am finally able to focus on my passion; Art. I have been sketching for as long as I can remember. I love the process and creativity of it. No matter what I am feeling on any given day, when I sit down at my art desk my focus is what goes on in that piece. Every little detail is important no matter how small. You ask if knowing what I know now could I have sped up the process? The answer to that question is no. I believe that life has prepared me for this challenge now. I don’t believe that I would have had the focus and patience then that I have learned over the years.

Pamela, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I have always been interested in everything creative. As a child I would always draw, color, sew by making my own patterns from old clothes et cetera. However, I most enjoyed sketching and bringing people to life on paper. As a teenager I hoped to become a Commercial Artist designing ads for the newspaper. I lived in a small town with a very small newspaper. I had no idea how to get started, so I went on sketching, painting, photographing anything and anyone I found interesting. My high school art teacher saw my potential and nurtured my talent. She believed in my ability so much that I was offered the opportunity to accompany her to Paris one summer. However, my Mother felt that I was too young to make the trip. I am my hardest critic as I believe if every detail is not correct I either have to start over or correct it until both my customer and I are satisfied. One of the things that I feel sets me apart in my profession is how much I care about each piece that I do. For example, I had a client requesting a piece of his deceased sister and her children. The sister died when she was a very young mother and there were no pictures of her and her young children (one which was an infant) together as a family. The client sent me several pictures of each person he wanted in the picture. I completed the work showing the Mother with the older child standing and the infant in front as if on her lap. My client was so very pleased, as were the children which are now adults. It is my attention to detail that made that family so very happy. That’s what makes me proud of what I do. The joy on people’s faces when they view my work as well as when they make a purchase says it all for me.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist for me is seeing the excitement and emotion on my clients faces. Especially with commission pieces. I have witnessed tears, smiles, hugs and thoughts from customers through facial expressions. When I complete a piece of someone’s loved one I feel proud that they have trusted me with the project. Actually my mantra is: (Thank you for allowing me to bring your loved one to life through Art). I take every project seriously and I give it every once of energy I have.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

As I stated earlier my career as an artist took a detour early. As a young mother I had to make a choice of working a full time job over the Art world. I thought I would work a job for a while to make ends meet and care for my family. That job became a 35 year career which I retired from to raise my grandchildren. That became my next career. I saw them through elementary, middle and high school. Praise God they both graduated and are leading productive lives. I say that all of this prepared me for this time in my life “Art Career”. I learned so much about people, business and myself through everything leading up to now. I know that I’m ready for this next chapter in my life. I would not have been as resilient or poised enough to handle it. My Mother always said (What doesn’t kill you will make you strong). I didn’t understand what she meant when I was younger but I certainly do now. Sometimes you ask God for something but it doesn’t happen then. He is preparing you to handle what you’re asking for so that when you get it, you are prepared.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ArtistMoore.godaddysites.com
• Instagram: https://Ms.kojack
• Facebook: ArtistPJMOORE
• Linkedin: Pamela Moore

Image Credits

All work shown was created by PJ Moore