FINE ART | ILLUSTRATION

ABOUT PAULA

“Immersive, impressive, intuitive, inviting. Artist Paula Brown imbues her work with a palpable spirit that transcends its medium.”   
Pat H., Long Island, NY

I am a Heartist, a picture storyteller who illustrates the Heart of Story. Love to draw and paint the connection to the “heart”; the feeling of places, events, environments. My muse is nature, its moods, light, shapes; the patterns that draw us into connection with the natural world. Through my art, my desire is to express the light, the “talk” that radiates from nature of each subject’s source to reflect the power of both experience and place; of each soul’s purpose in this world.

My “history”? Seattle, WA, I was born a “Heartist”, drawing and talking from the heart. I had the ability to hear and draw the voice of land and animals. I loved the storm and calm skies, Nature was my playmate, from mountains, the sea, to my grand parents’ country farms in Seattle and Iowa. Seeing and listening with my heart. I was told I had a “gift” of knowing, of “seeing”, hearing nature, as I touched and received messages from the land and animals.

My art and storytelling beginnings were kindled my mother (who provided me with paper, pencils, crayons and lots of encouragement); my fifth-grade teacher Mr. Boyd (who told me I had a ‘star inside’ of me that made me unique and talented); and my hero Dr. Seuss, whose books gave me permission to laugh, draw purple monkeys and green giraffes! George Innes, Dutch Big Sky painters, and the American / European Impressionists inspired me too.

With a BFA from the University of Washington my media was watercolor and oil. After graduation, my art was focused into Ad communications for over 20 years as creative director / art director, a brand activist for major ad agencies from Seattle, Boston, NYC to LA. “Telling heart story”, creating brand campaign flow, leading new business teams for international brands.

Now creating art full time, I am a colorist, painting with oils and pastels, excited by the crystalline reflective “light” of pastels.

Kudos from others? Folks who have viewed, purchased, and juried my art, have commented that my paintings capture the heart essence of the movement of light; the feelings of things, or

place. An impressionistic luminosity that draws them in, to actually experience deep connections to soul and healing from my art.

Some facts? My fine art has been exhibited in juried national and international shows in Southern California and now in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, and Massachusetts. I currently hold Signature Status in The Philadelphia Pastel Society and The Maryland Pastel Society, Exhibiting Artist / Delaware Valley Art League, and exhibited in the National Water Color Society all media show.

I am honored to be a 2025 Fellow awarded by the Delaware Arts Council.

My art community is now in the Tri State area. I am pleased to be a past member of the PSSC (and board member), juried into the Santa Barbara Arts Association, teaching at the Carpinteria Arts Center, invited to give talks and demos in Los Angeles, CA and remain a TV Academy member.

I hold a BFA in Fine Arts, U of W, Seattle, Art Center, Pasadena and UCLA Art certificates, and certified in Forest Bathing / nature journaling. I’ve taught fine art / creativity at UCSD, San Diego, CA., and now teach as a pastel instructor at the Del Art Museum, DE.

Book illustration, fine art, writing, teaching, and speaking, expand my storytelling tool chest. I am the illustrator / author of “Fur Shui. An Introduction to Animal Feng Shui.” Published in the US, Canada, UK and Italy! Essence Illustration for my clients, teaching workshops, and speaking about soul talk finds me traveling the world to help people communicate, discover, and experience, the art and heart of their “talk” of being in harmony with themselves and their environments.

Curiosity and Questioning are my guides:
Q: What one word would I choose to describe “what I do”? Ignite is my one word. To ignite soul awareness connections for all beings and nature.

MY 4 POINTS ON HOW I AM A HEART CATALYST, TO BE: “IN-Joy, to wake up soul story”:

Q: What fuels my heart? I am a life-long learner. My Loves: nature, hiking, Art, journaling, drawing and painting, animals, the sea, and creating cozy homes. I find myself with travel, being a docent / naturalist connecting others to art and nature, laughter, learning new things, good movies with good storylines, and enjoying other adventurous people!

Nature fuels my unique story to serve “IN-Joy, to wake up soul story”.

A link to more “facts” CV / resume: Paula Brown Fine Art Resume