Artist Statement – Paula Brown Creative

I am a Heartist.

I draw and paint the connection to the “heart”; the feeling of places, events, environments. My muse is nature. I am inspired by its form, light, and patterns that speak of its function, interconnecting with all to make up this world of ours. My paintings reflect the light that radiates from each subject’s source that shines the power of both experience and place. I love to see deep into the ordinary to express its extraordinary.

My “how” is being a Visual Storyteller; of communicating nature’s “speak” with sketch journaling, watercolors, plein air oil and acrylic painting, and pastel painting.

And, my favorite subjects are landscapes and seascapes (and fun loose sketching of place, experience, and folk’s pets!). I paint en plein air, from my I-Pad, and photographs, and I love to employ under painting techniques, being schooled in process taught by internationally known pastel artist Richard McKinley. People viewing and jurying my art have commented that my paintings excel in capturing the heart essence; the feelings of things, place, or scene, by creating an impressionistic focus of luminosity with unique marks of color and tone.

I look for the light in nature and in people. With my business “Chi-Lightful” I also use my Heartist title in a combo of quick sketch illustration and purpose coaching to help people find “their own unique art within themselves”.

Having exhibited in juried shows in Southern California, and now in the Mid Atlantic (DE/PA), I am also a member of the Philadelphia Pastel Society, Delaware Art League, and past member in The Southern California and juried into the Santa Barbara Art Association. My paintings have been juried in and honored with awards from judges such as Richard McKinley, Steven Shriver, Jeremy Tessmer, Anna Wainright, Diane Rappisi.

Artists that inspire me are painters George Innes, John Singer Sargent, and the American and European Impressionists. My art and storytelling beginnings were kindled by storyteller / artist Theodore Seuss Geisel; Dr. Seuss!

What fuels my heart? I am a life-long learner who grows by doing art as well as teaching others to share and express the beauty found in nature and in our own true nature. My Loves: nature, hiking, Art, journaling, drawing and painting, animals, the sea, sailing, 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!

LINK: PAULA’S OTHER WEBSITE
www.chilightful.com

FINE ART / SHOWS / EXHIBITIONS / JURY SHOWS
Philadelphia Pastel Society 2^nd Annual National Show 2023
Delaware Valley Art League: Juried Exhibitions at Penn Med, juried shows in various galleries in PA, Media Arts Center. 2022-2023
Santa Barbara Art Association (SBAA), Santa Barbara, CA 2017-Present
Juried at Faulkner, Gallery 113, 1919 State Street, 2017, 2018
Pastel Society of Southern California (PSSC) Annual Pastel Shows, LA, CA, 2015, 2016, 2018
Riviera Art Show (Rejoice in Art, an Ocean View), Redondo Beach, CA, 2015, 2016, 2017
Del Rey Art Walk and Show / Exhibition, Los Angeles, CA (Invitation only), 2016

HONORS
Juried into Philadelphia Pastel Society National Show 2023.
Jurors: Anna Wainright, Diane Rappisi
Awarded First and Third places in DVAL juried shows for Penn Med.
Final top 4 out of 200 judged participants (cash and product award) PSSC Show, LA, CA
Juror: Richard McKinley / American Master artist, 2015
Final top 4 out of 800 entrants Jury show (cash and product award) Riviera Art Show / An Ocean View, Redondo Beach, CA
Juror: Steven Shriver / Fine Artist of Art+Work, 2015
First Place Award, SBAA at 1919 State Street show venue, 2017 – 2018
Juror: Jeremy Tessmer / Gallery Curator / Fine Art Dealer / Owner
Third Place Award, Ojai Lavender Festival Art Show, Ojai, CA 2018

EDUCATION / EDUCATOR
Bachelor of Fine Arts, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
Magna cum Laude, Graphic Design
Honors: Elected to Alpha Chapter, Phi Beta Kappa
Awarded Full Fine Art Scholarship / University of Washington School of Art, 1971 – 1975
Art Center, Pasadena, CA
Website Design
UCLA, Los Angeles, CA
Animation and Computer Art / Extension
Russel Brown’s ADIM (Art Director Invitational Master Class) Master Invitational, Electronic Design & Art Forum, Apple Computer, Cupertino, CA
Richard McKinley / American Master Artist / Oregon
Advanced in studio and plein air workshop studies
Bert Collins / Painter / Master Pastel Artist / Ojai, CA
Ongoing Private Invitational Studio Studies, 2014-2018

Instructor, UCSD Digital Arts Program, San Diego, California, 2007

FINE ART AND NATURALIST ACTIVISM
Full Member of DVAL 2022-23
Member of Philadelphia Pastel Society 2022-23
Ex Board member: Pastel Society of Southern CA, 2018-2021
Naturalist / CIG (Certified Interpretive Guide) with the National Association for Interpretation: Docent teaching art and nature programs e with the Irvine Ranch Conservancy 2007-2017 Docent / Volunteer Naturalist for LA Audubon / Ballona Wetlands, Los Angeles Elementary School Education program 2012-2018

PUBLISHED / AUTHOR / ILLUSTRATOR
“Fur Shui. An Introduction to Animal Feng Shui” Lyons Press / 1rst edition / now in 2nd edition. Published in the US, UK, Canada, Italian translation and distribution.