Someone just may have to intervene and force us to enter a 12-step program to end our addiction to purchasing new art. After all, we live in a condo filled with antiques and primitives, yet we can’t resist fresh, new paintings that depict whatever area we are visiting. We have an uncanny proclivity to marine art even though we are not boaters nor have we ever owned a sailing vessel. We guess there must be something about the sea that pulls us away — and causes us to buy.
And so it was that as we were walking Aviles Street in St. Augustine, Florida, the night of January 2nd, 2015 — First Friday, as it were — we stopped in at Aviles Gallery. It’s an intimate place filled with photography, original art, and wood-turned bowls — all tasteful, artful, and enticing. But it was the watercolors of Pam Pahl that drew us to the side wall where we spent nearly an hour until closing time studying the compositions, bright colors, and squiggles. Yes, see those squiggles on the left side and beneath? New to us, for sure. And a technique that caused us to move in for a really close look.
But it was meeting the artist herself that made the difference. Pam Pahl, a petite soft-spoken woman, introduced herself. And the love affair began. Educated in England, she has lived in the U. S., no stranger to the boating world. As an owner of a sailboat in California and a traveler on numerous cruises and charters throughout the U. S. Caribbean, and Bahamas, Pam works from experience, using strong, graphic images and clear colors to develop her unique style.
Aviles Gallery, St. Augustine, Florida, on First Friday. Works by Pam Pahl on right wall. Photo from Aviles Gallery Facebook page.
Pam Pahl has been granted signature status in the American Society of Marine Artists and South Florida Watercolor Society. But she now can say she has a giclee of one of her original paintings hanging in a small dining room in Knoxville, Tennessee! We are proud to have met this talented artist and purchased a Pam Pahl painting — it’s our something new for 2015. And it just may spawn a redo of our decor. After all, wouldn’t a room in these colors make you happy, too?!!!
For more entries in this week’s WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge: New, click here.
For more information on Pam Pahl, go to her website: www.ppahl.com.
Pam Pahl shows her work in Aviles Gallery in St. Augustine, Florida, and Art of the Sea, South Thomaston, Maine.
Photo credit: Facebook page of Aviles Gallery: https://www.facebook.com/avilesstreetgallery
mytravelmonkey
You can never have too much art! Love the painting!
Oh, the Places We See
Great to hear that! You’ve just given us license to keep loving and looking! I think we’re going to keep swapping out places in the house to squeeze in a bit more! Best wishes for a good week ahead.
gallivance.net
A lovely painting Rusha, and the photo of the croquet court on Jekyll is really nice. I’ve been there a number of times, and have never managed to get a decent photo. Isn’t that the coolest place. We visited the Turtle Center a few weeks ago, and had a glass of wine on the hotel veranda – gypsies in the palace! ~James
Oh, the Places We See
So glad you like the painting and really, really happy you recommended Jekyll. We would love to return — perhaps even stay a night or two at the club. But we would be country come to town, for sure. (The Turtle Center does sound like a destination!)
Vandy
Loved the beautiful water color of Pam Pahl’s boat. The colors and style are beautiful. St Augustine is such a neat Place.
Oh, the Places We See
Thanks for taking a look at our new painting. We can’t believe what an accomplished watercolorist this artist is. We enjoyed our time in St. Augustine and wondered what took us so long to get there!
Curt Mekemson
Quite fine. I am sure it will do your wall honor. I saw the paddles and immediately thought of our summer kayaking adventure. It also reminding of the times I have worked a rowboat. –Curt
Oh, the Places We See
We have an affinity for boats, but have no idea why. There’s something about getting away from it all, perhaps. Would love to try kayaking or rowing or just sitting on someone else’s boat this summer.
Curt Mekemson
I’ve always thought that living on a houseboat for a month or two would be a kick.
Curt
Mary
As the wife of a painter, I can only say that it is people like you that support artists, make it all worth while.
Oh, the Places We See
We love to support art, Mary. We attend area shows and know many of the artists through a variety of benefits. Would love to try my hand at painting and may in the future. Would love to see your husband’s work as well.
NW Frame of Mind
Fantastic take on this challenge, Rusha. 🙂
Oh, the Places We See
Thanks so much for the comment. These challenges make me look through my pictures for something appropriate. It just happened that the newest thing in our house was quite handy! Hope your January hasn’t been too bitter.
NW Frame of Mind
The first week went well, Rusha. 🙂
LuAnn
So wonderful of you to support the arts!
Oh, the Places We See
Well, sometimes we just can’t help ourselves. Loving art is something we’ve come to do late of life. Now, we have little room left. But we still want more! Sigh. Thanks for reading!
Tina Schell
Good for you. I love it when people support hardworking artists!
Oh, the Places We See
Tina, we love art and artists. Would love to buy even more pieces. But there’s a limit, right? Loved meeting the people and seeing what they produce. By the way, do you live on St. Simons Island? We went there before going to St. Augustine, but I couldn’t remember if that was where you lived or not. Hope your year is off to a good start.
Tina Schell
LOL, right! No, we’re on Kiawah Island which is in South Carolina outside of Charleston.
whichwaynow101
I see why you couldn’t resist it!
Oh, the Places We See
Thanks! I fell for a lot of her art — would love a whole wall of it. So glad my husband insisted and we were driving — we just plopped it into the car and off we went. Hope your new year is going well so far.
Amy
Thank you for sharing the joyful experience of walking through the gallery with us! Beautiful art work of Pam Pahl.
Oh, the Places We See
Glad you like the art and the gallery. It was a fun event. Wish I had asked her if I could take several pictures and post them on the blog. There were so many great paintings. Hope your year is off to a good start.