We were lucky to catch up with Pamela Wingard recently and have shared our conversation below.

Pamela, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Do you feel you or your work has ever been misunderstood or mischaracterized? If so, tell us the story and how/why it happened and if there are any interesting learnings or insights you took from the experience?

‘Why don’t you just get a ‘real job?” I’ve been asked this on more than one occasion. Well-meaning friends and relatives often assume that you can’t make a living as an artist because that was the case historically.

The long-standing ‘starving artist’ mentality has become obsolete with today’s opportunities. Today is a great time to be a professional artist because we can share our work in a way we could never have done before the internet and social media.

I sell my work both online and through traditional methods, but most of the galleries and shops I work with discovered my work on social media.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I live in the Carolinas and paint abstracted coastal landscapes. I like expressive brush strokes and layers of mark-making using oil sticks, pastels, charcoal, and graphite.

I remember sitting at my grandmother’s kitchen table, sketching for hours, and studying the hand-drawn fashion ads in the Sunday paper. I grew up watching my mom paint ceramics, do macramé, crochet, and sew while my dad encouraged me to write and pursue my business degree. I began college as an art major, and after my dad kindly said, ‘Honey, maybe you should take some business classes,’ I graduated with a business degree, got an MBA, and worked as an account executive for a Payroll/HR software company. Later, I left corporate America and returned to my creative pursuits when my children were small, staying home with them while returning to get a degree in Graphic Design.

After illustrating stationery and designing marketing materials for small businesses, I discovered my true passion is painting. However, I didn’t realize I could actually have a career as an artist. I began selling my original oil paintings, and as my business grew and my style became more cohesive, I transitioned to acrylics and mixed media and began selling my work online.

I’d been searching for a way to scale my small business, and I began selling small originals and prints through a new business I started with my older son called Barefoot Living. We plan to expand to include products that focus on travel and living a relaxed coastal lifestyle.

I’m proud that I could merge my love of art and my business background in a way that communicates my love of travel and the coast, brings joy to others, and allows me to do what I love.

Have you ever had to pivot?

This is the sad part of my story … my grad school sweetheart and husband of almost 30 years passed away suddenly in 2021. For a long time, I couldn’t paint at all, but eventually, I found healing and joy through my art and the support of my family and friends.

I sold our family home and moved from Charlotte, NC, to Charleston, SC. I’ve always painted coastal themes as our family spent many happy hours at the beach. However, I’m now surrounded by beautiful beaches, marshes, boats, and palm trees, which inspire me daily.

I’m still figuring out this new life, but I’m thankful that art has been something I could turn to both professionally and personally.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

I have a new business called Barefoot Living, making my art accessible through prints and products.

My goal is to combine my passion for great art and design with my love of the beach and yearning for travel. I want to share my pursuit of an authentic, coastal lifestyle, connecting with people I love in the places I love the most. Preferably outside near the water.

Each art collection is inspired by a story or an emotion that stirs me, whether it’s a special memory or a particular place, enjoying an evening cocktail on a rooftop with old friends, or spending the day on a boat. I want to put my heart and soul into what I do, carefully curating each collection to mean something.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.pamwingard.com www.barefootlivingco.com
• Instagram: @pamelawingardart @barefootlivingco
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pamelawingardart

• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamela-wingard-0a48b012/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/pamwingardart
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWkevJZKx663WeM8XvhaTBQ

Image Credits
Krissy Millar Photography Ash Nicole Photography