Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Paul Pedulla

Paul Pedulla shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Hi Paul, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
This is an easy question for me because I often lose track of time when painting. When I’m in the flow, I can get totally caught up in a painting. My focus can be intense. But I’ll often find myself coming back to reality again when my stomach starts growling for lunch!

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m a dreamer, so my paintings are decidedly dreamy. Occasionally, they depict real places. But most of the time they are iconic and based on memory and imagination. There’s a simplicity that draws viewers in and a depth that finds them frequently discovering something new. Perhaps what’s most interesting is that my work has a calming affect on nearly everyone and strikes an emotional chord. People feel they’ve experienced the places I depict, sometimes in their past.

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
I’m sure I was an artist before I even knew it. I remember being in the 8th grade and feeling sad that next year in high school art class would no longer be mandatory. Yet I never considered art as a career, so I went to college and pursued an advertising career. Being a writer in advertising was creative yet also acceptable to the people in my world at the time. It wasn’t until 2006 that I had a sudden and very strong urge to paint. That changed everything.

When did you last change your mind about something important?
Shortly after I made the decision to paint, I realized doors were opening up all around me. It was as though my success was in the hands of the universe and it was up to me to just let go. I had an epiphany. My new mission was to follow my passion and not be concerned about where it may lead. I had never before approached life this way and it was a profound and refreshing change.

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes, I believe this is true. After years of trying to find a place where I fit in, I finally “came out” as an artist and every time I greet a visitor in my studio, I’m certain they know who I really am. They can see and experience who I am.

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
After I’m gone, I hope people talk about the love I had for my work and can feel my passion in the paintings I’ve created. And I want the work to continue to bring out the passion in them.

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