Today we’d like to introduce you to Pamela Irving.
Pamela, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I am an Australian artist, I grew up in Melbourne Australia.
I am married, I have two children and two grand children and a grand puppy, so far.
I have practiced my art for 40 years full time. Over the past fifteen years I have shared my time between my Melbourne Studio and the USA. I make playful sculptural mosaics, paintings and works on paper. I have many works in public Art Collections and worked all over the world. I have had a fortunate career which has enabled me to combine my love of making with my love of travelling.
Over the past five years my son and his US wife have made San Diego their home, my frequent visits to San Diego has led them to create space in their home in La Mesa for me to paint. I LOVE SAN Diego. As an artist who also works in mosaic, I am particularly drawn to the fantastic work of Nikki de saint Phalle. She was a French artist who also made San Diego her second home. Her beautiful public sculptures can be seen all over San Diego for example at the Convention Centre and her Queen Califa’s Magical Circle in Escondido. When I look at these works and all the other public artworks, murals etc around San Diego, it convinces me this is a great place for creativity. The climate is also so conducive to making work.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Making art is not the easiest career path, especially in terms of having a consistent or predictable cash flow. That can be a challenge, however artists always seem to make ends meet and be able to create interesting and happy environments to live in.
In the early years having two children, a very busy husband and meeting commission deadlines was difficult, however when I look back the influence of having the children made my work so much happier and playful. I think it was those challenging times that resulted in creating better art. All moms who want to have a career become excellent time managers. So I guess its about turning obstacles into a plus.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I have a Bachelor of Education and Master of Arts, from the University of Melbourne. I have worked full time on my art for forty years. Currently I am working on a very large scale public art commission for Luna Park, Melbourne . Luna Park is an amusement park like Coney Island in New York. It is the second large scale commission I have had for the park. I am also about to head off to Chartres, to hold my first exhibition in France. This exhibition is being held at the Chapelle Saint-Eman in Chartres. It is titled “Ruin + Renewal” . I am exhibiting with fellow artist Karen Ami PhD Founder + Director of Chicago Mosaic School . Karen and I have collaborated on many exhibitions in Chicago. The subject of our exhibition is female archetypes for example Mother, Huntress, Sage and Queen. The gallery in Chartres is an historic Chapel which has been turned into a contemporary art gallery, just next to the famous gothic Chartres Cathedral. It is a great honour to be invited by the Municipality of Chartres to hold this exhibition. In 2027 the works will be shown at the Gallery of Contemporary Mosaic in Chicago and hopefully in California if an opportunity arises.
I love to create commissions for peoples homes and work with clients to create something which is both unique and inspired by the location.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
When I was about 7 years old my Aunt gave me a series of Disney Books called “Annette”, they are a thrilling series, based on Annette F from the Mickey Mouse Club set in the United States. I grew up in Melbourne Australia and always fantasised about going to the USA. I realised that dream about 15 years ago, firstly with an exhibition at the Gallery Of Contemporary Mosaic in Chicago and now having studio space and family in La Mesa, San Diego.
My childhood was spent making things. I’ve always been a creative and love collecting things to make new things with them.
Pricing:
- works on paper $300 upwards
- Paintings $1000 – $10,000
- Mosaics $1800 – $25000
- Public Art project by project basis
Contact Info:
- Website: www.pamelairving.com.au
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pamelairvingart
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pamelairvingart
