We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Pamela Black. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Pamela below.
Pamela, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
I’ve always had a strong connection to creativity, even as a child. I grew up in an environment where art was valued, whether it was through visits to museums, exploring nature, or just drawing for fun. As I grew, I started experimenting with different mediums, and I found that each offered its own way to express emotions and ideas.
I eventually studied art formally, but my journey has been as much about self-exploration as education. I began to understand how I could communicate through my work, and I found my voice through painting and abstraction. The more I created, the more I understood that being an artist is about constantly evolving, pushing boundaries, and telling stories that matter to me.
What truly solidified my path as an artist was when I started sharing my work publicly and seeing how it resonated with people. It confirmed for me that this wasn’t just a passion—it was my calling.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I am a full-time, contemporary artist who works primarily with acrylics, watercolors, and water-based drawing tools. Being a full-time artist is both challenging and incredibly fulfilling. The creative process itself is a constant exploration—each painting is an opportunity to express emotions, ideas, and sometimes even fragments of the subconscious that are hard to put into words. I love working with large-scale abstract paintings, which for me, are about creating an immersive experience, both for myself in the studio and for viewers once the piece is complete. For me, abstraction is about breaking away from representation and letting shapes, colors, and forms have their own voice. I find a sense of freedom in that, as it allows me to communicate emotions without being tied to a specific narrative.
As a full-time artist, I’ve learned to balance the creative side of my work with the business side, which is essential for sustaining a career in art. Marketing, networking, managing finances, and applying to shows/galleries are all part of the job. It’s a constant juggling act, but I enjoy the variety it brings. The ultimate reward, however, comes from seeing my paintings in the world, whether it’s in a gallery, a private collection, or in someone’s home. It’s always gratifying when a piece resonates with someone else and evokes a feeling or thought they may not have expected.
The process of creating art is deeply personal, but the experience of sharing it with others is what makes being a full-time artist so meaningful. My work is a reflection of my own exploration and growth, and the interaction it invites is what keeps me motivated and inspired to keep pushing my practice forward.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Being a full-time artist requires a high level of discipline. While inspiration can come and go, having the ability to maintain a consistent work schedule is crucial. Consistency helps build a strong body of work and keeps you focused, especially when faced with the challenges of balancing creativity with the business side of being an artist.
To thrive as a full-time artist, resilience is key. You have to be able to bounce back from disappointments and rejection and learn from feedback. Artists must stay open to experimentation and be flexible enough to evolve their work over time. My advice to anyone starting this journey is to simply, make art every day.
Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?
Growing up, having parents who not only supported my artistic interests but actively encouraged them, created a foundation of confidence and self-expression that has shaped who I am today. They recognized early on that art wasn’t just a hobby for me—it was a way for me to process the world around me. Whether it was taking me to galleries, or providing art supplies, they nurtured my creativity without pushing any specific agenda.
In many ways, their encouragement taught me that it was okay to follow my passions, even when they didn’t fit into conventional expectations. Art gave me a voice and a space to figure out who I was, and having my parents stand behind that made me feel seen and validated. Looking back, I realize that their support was a form of empowerment, teaching me that pursuing what I love isn’t just about the end result, but the journey of discovery and personal growth along the way. It’s something I carry with me in everything I do.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.pamelajblack.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pamelajblackart/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pamelajblackart/
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