What inspires a person to fulfill her dreams?

Andy's glass work

For Pam Nichols it was her brother, Andy.
 

Growing up in a family of talented artists, it was Andy from whom she drew inspiration when he worked in the restaurant world for over 20 years and decided one day to become a full time glass blower.  He didn't listen to everyone around him who worried he wouldn't make it. He just did it. Despite the ups and downs, he has always moved forward, growing his business and perfecting his talents to become one of the best glass blowers in Oregon.

Pam remembers when he made his first fish in his garage using equipment that he built himself. He said that day he would be the best fish salmon fish maker and he proved to her that it could be done. 

Blown glass salmon by Andy

Pam’s mother was also an artist who could work with any medium.  She found her passion in stained glass.  Andy worked for her during high school, an experience that planted the seeds of his love for glass. 

Pam learned from watching their mother what true passion was, and watching Andy fulfill his dreams inspired her to follow her own passion in the art world.  

Pam has dabbled in a variety of media including jewelry, watercolor, and pastel painting, but none of them elicited that passion she knew was inside her until the day she discovered encaustic painting. It was not a medium that many people were familiar with in 2005. Discovering the art form from folks in art fairs around Portland, and struck by the vivid colors, the transparency and depth of the medium drew her in. When she learned that most everyone had taken a class at PNCA, she made that her next step in 2006.

 

Encaustic by Pam Nichols

For the first few years it remained a hobby, as she played around with wax in her basement.  But even though she had a strong hidden desire to be a full time artist like her brother, Pam resisted taking that step.

Married and helping to support the household, it was a scary step to take.  One day someone asked her what her ideal situation would be. She said, "My dream would be for my husband to make enough money to allow me to do art full time." About a week later her husband got a job offer making as much as both their salaries combined. He took the job.

She became a full time artist.  She learned the power of positive thought and intention.  After a few years selling her work at small shows, Andy encouraged her to think bigger than that, to believe in herself and go for the big shows. Taking his advice, not only was she juried into several larger shows the next year, she was accepted into two galleries, and proved to herself what the power of mind and hard work can do.  She learned never to stop following your dreams, just as her brother did, and to take one step at a time toward the goals you truly desire. 

Andy and Pam are the featured artists at The Dalles Art Center along with Ryan Beard from Bend September 1st to the 26th. 

Submitted by Pam Nichols.