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| Andy's glass work |
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.
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| Blown glass salmon by Andy |
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.
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| 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.
