Pam Sims in her studio
To live the life of an artist is to live an extraordinary existence and Pam Sim’s life is no exception. In this interview we get to know the deeper side, the soul journey that Pam has been through. Art is her way of knowing the world around her, it gives her an avenue of personal expression that is not only important for her, its essential. Pam reveals a wonderful, beautiful journey with us; witnessed through her written words along with her spiritually moving artworks.
In Pam’s art we see happiness, joy and such a ray of sunshine. Pam is a loving, caring lady with a huge heart for creation. Her subject matter is vast, with one common thread; the adoration of the incredible world of nature that surrounds us and the great creator who made it all, God. Pam’s art reminds us to appreciate the breath within our living environment, the seasons, family, history and things that make our lives complete. Where would we be without amazing artists like Pam Sims who remind us of the beauty in every day life. Through this interview, I hope you enjoy learning more about the incredible artist Pam Sims and her journey into excellence with painting this beautiful world.
Title: “Father’s Strings” Medium: Watercolor Size: 11×15 Description: This piece was my final for the Complete Drawing Course and is a very special piece. It is a painting of a violin that belonged to my father. I wanted to learn to play and he gave to me for Christmas a couple of years ago. I had another one of his violins but this was one that he decided was better and wanted me to have it. There are only a few paintings that I have that I will never part with and this is one of them. It not only was something that I was proud to have done but it has a special place in my heart and in my home.
Interview with Pam Sims by Cindy Wider
Q: Please introduce yourself and tell us where you’re from
A: My name is Pam Sims and I live in the United States in the beautiful state of Arkansas.
Title: “Presence Among the Trees” Medium: Watercolor Size: 11×15 Description: Thorncrown Chapel is one of three structures built in the same design located here in Arkansas. The structure is magnificent and many weddings take place here. All of these chapels are situated in beautiful gardens and quiet serene locations. Very few people of who visit or live here have not been to at least one of these chapels. It was a very challenging piece to paint but has been a favorite of so many people because everyone here knows Thorncrown Chapel. Years ago the Great Passion Play took place on the grounds where this chapel is built. Along with this chapel stands a giant statute of Jesus overlooking the valley. Something everyone who visits here wants to see.
Q: How did you get started with art and drawing as an adult?
A: This is a funny story actually. I never intended to become an artist. I was a writer. I had written several children’s stories and I had no idea about how to illustrate them. My husband said, “Why don’t you do it?” Of course my reply was I don’t know how to draw. He responded back, “Well you can learn!” So I decided to see what was out there that could teach me and found your beginner course on Udemy. I took that course and I was convinced that I could certainly learn. From taking that small sample online I kept going and enrolled into the Complete Online Drawing Course with mentoring.
Q: What were your greatest fears before you started the course?
A: When I first started I had no idea what I was doing, and of course like so many beginners, I wasn’t very confident that I could ever become an artist, but I quickly learned that my passion was not illustration. I just didn’t have this burning desire to do that. I am not sure why but it is safe to say that this was not for me. Instead I moved into realism drawing and painting styles.
Pam Sims artworks from the course while being mentored by Cindy. Silver Kettle in graphite and Juicy Apple in coloured pencil.
Q: What were your expectations, dreams or goals when you first began your course?
A: When I began my art journey my dreams were small. Just learn. Then see where that leads. I had no real expectations. It was challenging and I had to overcome a lot of my self doubt. Like most beginners, there is a lot of that. Our drawings are elementary and we want Picasso from the start. I dreamed of becoming a real artist and kept my expectations low at first. What if I just couldn’t do it. You were so kind and encouraging. You kept pushing me. When I finished my first portrait EVER, I felt like I was getting somewhere.
The before image was created by Pam before she first started mentoring with Cindy. The After image of Cindy’s daughter was created at just over one-third of the way through the course.
Q:What do you think of your progress now, when you look at the pre-instruction drawing you created way back then?
A: Oh, my goodness! What can I say? I think the proof is in the pudding, as the saying goes. My self portrait was so funny! Like everyone, it was really bad! But, once you see what you are capable of, you just keep going. You know then it is possible. Have I arrived at a master level? No, but what is that anyway. Can I create good art? That is the question I ask myself all the time. The answer to that is yes but it can only get better the more I do it.
Title: “Longing” Medium: Watercolor Size: 11×15 Description: When I started working in landscapes there was so much that could be painted. The world is filled with so many beautiful places but it is not often that you find the exact thing you want to paint and sometimes you have to create an image of that yourself, and that is what I have done here. I knew what I wanted to paint. An image of a deer drinking from a stream of water. Again, a spiritual image. Taken from the Bible. I am a visual artist. I think of myself as describing a picture of something I want you to see, but I also need images myself because that is how I work. We have great technology today that can help us get the exact information we need to create the story we want to tell.
Q: What was it like studying with mentored support?
A: I have really challenged myself and you’ve always been very honest with me. Any time you can get expert advice it is valuable. You cannot get to where you want without it. I have come a long long way since I first began my journey into drawing almost 8 years ago. There have been a lot of ups and downs along the way, and I am still getting my feet under me. Cindy is a mentor and a friend and has been since our first lesson with her as my personal mentor in 2023.
Title: “Savor the Moment” Medium: Watercolor Size: 11×15 Description: I was working on an idea for a still life. I had painted only one other setting such as this in acrylic. This time I wanted to work with watercolor. As with many of my paintings Savor the Moment reflects the sacred symbolism of provision and anointing. Three vessels of oil stand beside a bowl of olives and a board of bread. In Scripture, olive oil signified blessing, consecration, and the presence of God.
Q: What kind of drawings are you doing right now?
A: My art process has taken a lot of different directions and approaches over the years. I was eager to learn new ways to create art. I tried acrylic first but it wasn’t great so I set that aside for a little while to focus on watercolor. That has proved to be very challenging but I have made it my passion to get as good at it as I can. It is very different from oils and acrylics and the approach is harder, I think, because you can’t cover up mistakes as easily. You don’t just paint over them. I have recently begun to do more portraits. I shied away from that for a long time. I love doing landscapes too. I think you can create some beautiful art in watercolor and there is a lot of misconception that you can’t get vibrant work. That simply isn’t true.
Q: Do you have any favourite drawings that you’ve created since studying at DrawPj?
A: I think my favorite drawing was the portrait of Cindy’s daughter. Seeing her likeness being as close to Cindy’s was very rewarding. From that exercise I was able to create a graphite portrait for a friend of her husband who died while flying a plane that crashed. I knew I couldn’t do much to ease the pain but this was one thing I hoped would help.
Title: “Protected” Medium: Watercolor Size: 11×15 Description: I think this painting was the very first wild life painting that I did several years ago. I wanted to depict the verse in the Bible, Psalm 97:4, being covered under the protection of His wings. David wrote Psalms in a very poetic way and this duck and her ducklings was a great was to show that. We can get a visual. I imagine when David wrote that in the Bible he was seeing the protection of a bird and her young.
Q: Have you won any awards, or held exhibitions, sold your art since you studied at DrawPj?
A: Yes, in the past few years my art has begun to sell and I held my first exhibition this summer where I have over 23 pieces of art on display. I also have won three awards. That has been very encouraging. I have those awards in my studio to remind me how far I have come. It hasn’t really been all that long since I started so I feel very good about these accomplishments.
Q: What are your favourite art materials and why?
A: That is a tough question. I am a bit of an art supply junky. I love to buy paint. I use a lot of watercolor and in the beginning, I watched a ton of tutorials, so I bought all the stuff! I still do! If someone recommends a color I like to add it to my palette. That’s both good and bad. It is good to have but it might only get used for one project. I am trying to narrow those down a bit. I create palettes for specific uses, like portraits, florals and landscapes. I think most fine artists have colors they prefer and I do too.
Title: “Haven in the Frost” Medium: Watercolor Size: 11×15 Description: I love winter scenes and this one was painted from a photograph taken by Sandra Sanserivino and she graciously gave me permission to paint it. She has a wonderful gift of photography and I could just paint her images and never run out of subject matter. I was born in England and have a love for the English countryside. She lives in England so I get to live vicariously through her photographs. In this image I combined my love of nature, winter and Christmas all in one painting. It graces my walls at Christmas!
Q: Do you have any words of helpful advice for beginner artists?
A: I can’t tell you how many people have said to me, “I could never do that.” To which I reply, “Yes you can, you just have to want to learn. Put in the work and you can.” I still learn, I don’t think I will ever stop. That is why I have so many paint supplies! Learning something new that you didn’t know keeps your paintings fresh and you find some things you love and others you don’t. That is part of the process. I love watercolor but I don’t like colored pencil. I will say though, that I enjoy mixed media and there is a place for colored pencils there. Just give yourself time and space. Create a lot of art and you will begin to see that you indeed can become an artist. And, you are never too old to start. I am proof of that. Don’t set unrealistic expectations for yourself. Enjoy creating the art you love and let that be your motivation.
Title: “Symbol of Strength Medium: Watercolor Size: 11×15 Description: The eagle is the national bird for us here in the United States. It stands as a symbol of strength. I am fascinated by these birds. I painted this one on our nations birthday and colored the feathers in the red, white and blue. But, I spent a great deal of time on the eye and the beak of this bird. I love to paint birds up close and really get into the detail. You can feel the depth of his strength and his fierce determination in its eyes.
Q: What are your plans for the future?
A: I am currently working on a series of portraits called “The Virtuous Woman” There is a lot of symbolism in that, and I have loved the first two in that series so far. I am not sure what I will do with them, probably hang them in my studio. We will see where that ends up. I will continue to sell paintings, but I am more interested now in creating the ones I want to create. At first, when I started selling, I thought I had to create art people wanted to buy, it wasn’t making me happy. And, then I had a studio full of art. I have them displayed in places so if they sell, great, if not that’s really ok, they make great gifts. Now I paint what I love and leave the rest in God’s hands. I donate a lot of art to charity and that is so rewarding. It has helped to raise thousands of dollars and I will do more of that in the future.
Title: “Clothed in Quiet Strength” Medium: Watercolor Size: 11×15 Description: This painting in the first in a series called “ The Virtuous Woman” . I wanted to paint portraits and give them depth and meaning, more than just pretty faces. I often paint from a spiritual perspective. Like the Proverbs 31 woman, her beauty is not only in appearance, but in the stillness of spirit, the gentleness of wisdom, and the strength found in quiet faith.
Contact Pam Sims to learn more here:
Website: https://pamsimsartanddesign.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pamsimsart
Instagram: https://pamsimsartanddesign.com
