Fine Art
PAM KRIMSKY
Painter
Pam describes her style, the women artists who have influenced her work, and her plans for the future.
View from the Winery at Millbrook
Oil on Canvas ~ 15.5 x 33 inches
© Pam Krimsky
Oil on Canvas ~ 15.5 x 33 inches
© Pam Krimsky
How would you describe your style?
I would describe my style as a personal response to nature. My style is expressed through loose brushwork, moving freely across the surface, as well as varied lines and color choices. These qualities are present even when my subject matter is not my own, such as when I choose to paint a response to a poem, a challenge I truly enjoy. Creating a painting in response to the work of a poet will not feel as homogenous as the work that stems from within me, but, nevertheless, it comfortably falls into my oeuvre.
I enjoy applying my paint freely, and I work my whole canvas quickly and simultaneously. I love color, but my color is that suggested by nature, instead of strongly intensified color.
My interest is in expression. My ‘people’ are animated, emanating strong emotions. In my landscapes, I strive to express what the weather feels like so that my viewers can experience it as well.
I would describe my style as a personal response to nature. My style is expressed through loose brushwork, moving freely across the surface, as well as varied lines and color choices. These qualities are present even when my subject matter is not my own, such as when I choose to paint a response to a poem, a challenge I truly enjoy. Creating a painting in response to the work of a poet will not feel as homogenous as the work that stems from within me, but, nevertheless, it comfortably falls into my oeuvre.
I enjoy applying my paint freely, and I work my whole canvas quickly and simultaneously. I love color, but my color is that suggested by nature, instead of strongly intensified color.
My interest is in expression. My ‘people’ are animated, emanating strong emotions. In my landscapes, I strive to express what the weather feels like so that my viewers can experience it as well.
How has your art changed over the years? Any new processes, applications or stylistic changes?
Over the years, my work has matured. When I first started painting, I worked abstractly for a short time. Then, I started composing complex compositions with multiple figures from imagination. I tried to prepare for these compositions by painting from direct observation, landscape, still life and portraits (mostly self-portraits). I also looked at and worked from the masters, such as Rembrandt, Titian, Delacroix and Van Gogh. Today, my focus is on direct observation because it enables me to gather information.
Over the years, my work has matured. When I first started painting, I worked abstractly for a short time. Then, I started composing complex compositions with multiple figures from imagination. I tried to prepare for these compositions by painting from direct observation, landscape, still life and portraits (mostly self-portraits). I also looked at and worked from the masters, such as Rembrandt, Titian, Delacroix and Van Gogh. Today, my focus is on direct observation because it enables me to gather information.
More recently, I’ve enjoyed studying the work of my contemporaries. My work is bolder, and I am comfortable with this.
My primary means of expression is oil and acrylic, but I enjoy experimenting with other mediums. I have slowly been learning various printmaking processes. I love to draw, so I participated in a stone lithography workshop. I also enjoy watercolor, and I occasionally create bas-reliefs from clay.
My primary means of expression is oil and acrylic, but I enjoy experimenting with other mediums. I have slowly been learning various printmaking processes. I love to draw, so I participated in a stone lithography workshop. I also enjoy watercolor, and I occasionally create bas-reliefs from clay.
Have any women artists influenced your work?
Rosemarie Beck, one of my professors at Queens College, influenced me the most. I love her work. Her subjects were largely based in English literature and Greek/Roman mythology. I believe her work encouraged my interest in creating multiple figure compositions from imagination. I feel my work also relates to Alice Neel’s (1900-1984) body of work. I find her ability to portray personalities very compelling, very real. Alice came to Queens College to spend a day with the graduate students while I was there, and I liked her earthiness. I saw many similarities in the way we each see the world. Any plans for the future you'd like to share? Will you be experimenting with other mediums? I want to travel the U.S. by van, painting and exploring artist residencies, particularly those near the ocean. Where do you find sanctuary? My garden is my sanctuary. It is where I spend the most time in nature. I enjoy working there, creating vegetable and floral beds. I design my garden with perennials, so throughout the growing season, I have flowers continually blooming. I am always transplanting to get my design concepts to work better. On most days lately, I’ve been painting in my garden. |
Bright Red Gladiola
Acrylic on Canvas ~ 14 x 11 inches © Pam Krimsky |
UPCOMING EXHIBITIONS:
Nature: Introspective Visions West Strand Art Gallery 29 West Strand Street Kingston, NY Thursday, September 1 - Sunday, September 25 Reception: Saturday, September 3 ~ 4:00 to 6:00 pm. Solo Show Highland Public Library 14 Elting Place Highland, NY Thursday, September 1 - End of September Meet and Greet with Light Refreshments: Saturday, September 24 ~ 1 to 3 p.m. |
Pam Krimsky grew up in Brooklyn, New York. She always loved making art and living in the countryside. After completing her master’s degree in painting, she left New York City and moved to the Hudson Valley region of New York to paint from landscape.
Pam established a career as a painter and taught school, mostly K-12 art classes, first in New York City and then in the Hudson Valley. She also worked as an adjunct faculty member at Columbia-Green Community College, teaching studio courses and art history. In 1991, she left Kingston, New York and moved to Iran with her former husband. While living in Iran, she continued to paint, and she also taught English conversation and art classes. After several years, she and her husband were both hired to open a fine arts department at an established government university, where she taught courses in the native Farsi language. In 2007, she returned to the U.S. alone and decided to live in the Hudson Valley, where she currently resides. She continues to paint and exhibit her work in group and solo shows throughout the region. |
Colorful Peppers on a Brass Tray
Acrylic on Canvas ~ 15 x 16 inches © Pam Krimsky |