BEHIND THE PAINTINGS

ABOUT THE ART
As a child, I had a vivid imagination—forever pretending, spinning stories, and wishing I could step inside the pages of picture books. Art was my portal to other worlds, and in many ways, it still is. Today, I create intuitively, allowing emotion to guide my brush and letting each piece unfold in its own time. My work bridges semi-abstract landscapes and expressive abstractions, blending bold texture with subtle color, and structure with spontaneity. I often begin with just a line and see where it takes me—toward a horizon, a memory, or a moment in time.

With a background in graphic design, I’m drawn to strong composition, incorporating lines, patterns, and layered marks. Inspired by my Colorado roots, years near the ocean, and Idaho’s rugged beauty—each place leaving a mark on my work. I lose myself in the process, building and removing layers through scratching, scraping, and blending. When I step back, I’m often surprised by what emerges. My hope is to bring beauty to the everyday and offer a quiet invitation—whether to recall a distant memory, connect with a feeling, or be transported into your own imagined story.

ABOUT THE ARTIST
Pamela Trail is a Fine Arts graduate of Colorado State University and a third-generation artist. Deeply influenced by her mother, a professional painter known for bold, colorful works, Pamela grew up surrounded by creativity. Her professional path began in graphic design and evolved into roles as a creative director in craft brewing and co-owner of an artisan cheesemaking business. These experiences taught her to merge precision with playfulness—a balance that continues to shape her artistic style.

Now, painting is her way to reconnect with instinct, imagination, and emotion. Working in acrylic and pencil, she creates vibrant, layered pieces that blur the boundaries between abstraction and realism. Her work has been featured in galleries, businesses, exhibitions, and juried shows across the Pacific Northwest.

"Starting an art career in my 50s wasn’t the path I imagined, but it’s the one that feels right—shaped by years of life, lessons, and stories waiting to be told on canvas."