Today we’d like to introduce you to Pamela Ferworn.
Hi Pamela, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My interest in art began at a young age when I would draw and paint alongside my grandfather during the summers at our family cottage. But it was years before I would pick up art seriously.
When my husband and I moved to Houston, Texas from western Canada in 1996, I began to take art classes from local artists which I waited on my work permit. I began with Roland Schmidt and the Houston School of Art and Design with Charlie Brown and Shawn Carson. I continued to take art classes after my work visa was granted and joined the Watercolor Art Society – Houston. I painted regularly in the evenings and entered into some local shows as well.
Then along came three little boys. And my painting time was limited to snippets of quiet time at night. A few years ago, I attended a watercolor class with friends at Memorial Drive United Methodist Church in their “Arts Now” space. I was delighted to find a local spot where I could paint. And the next year I juggled around my part time job (as a Speech-Language Pathologist) and volunteer obligations to participate as an assistant instructor for the class.
However, I have to credit the shut down of covid-19 for giving me a creative push into pursuing art full time. The lack of schedules gave me the time to focus, be creative and learn. I joined up with an art group called Levelling Up which is a collective of artist learning from a profession/master artist in small groups. Thanks to their assistance I’m taking art and painting from a hobby to a profession as of October 1.
My art style is influenced by my upbringing in the Canadian shield, prairies, and rocky mountains and also my adopted home of Texas. The Texas scenery provides a different painting experience and color palate with its gulf shores, piney woods, prairies and hill country. Both locations provide for beautiful references for landscape paintings.
I work in watercolor, acrylics, and casein. My painting style is loose and impressionistic style and I like to let the paint speak for itself; on paper, canvas, or clayboard.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has been a journey that has been a long time in the making. But I wouldn’t change any of it because I enjoyed so may other things on the road here. I think the timing for this is right, right now. And the hardest part has been the decision to close my Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) private practice and focus on art full time. I love being an SLP and I love my clients and their family; it’s truly been a rewarding profession. But I’m ready for the next adventure. And I’m fortunate to have a supportive family.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m an artist/painter. I paint in watercolor, acrylics and casein which are all watermedia. I’d define my style as loose and impressionistic but others have mentioned I’m contemporary and abstract. I’m known for big skies and landscape scenes. I love to let the paint flow and follow its direction in the painting. Sometimes the end result is not what I had planned, and often these are my best paintings. Some recent accomplishments include showing my work through online shows and a watercolor piece that I painted of my Dad with my non-dominant hand (my left hand; I’m right handed). I hope to do more studies in watercolor with figures/people in the future.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
I am very active in my community as a volunteer with schools and other philanthropic organizations. I donate original artwork to local school and non-profit organizations for their fundraising auctions. For certain months, a percentage of my art sales will be donated to non-profit organizations.
December 2020 – Blessings in a Backpack
February 2021 – American Heart & Stroke Foundation (in memory of Alan Ferworn)
August 2021 – “Remembering Rick” Series honoring her Dad, Rick Dixon, who passed away December 2020
October 2021 – Spring Branch Education Foundation Scholarship Fund
I have several ideas on collaborating with other artists, artisans, schools, yoga and mindfulness instructors and using painting as a means to improve mental health. I just need more hours in the day to flush out all the ideas!
I am available for commissions.
Pricing:
- $50 – $2400+
- $300 (12 x 12)
Contact Info:
- Email: pamferwornart@gmail.com
- Website: www.pamferwornart.com
- Instagram: @pamferwornart
- Facebook: facebook.com/pamferwornart
Image Credits:
Pamela Ferworn
