Visual Artist Spotlight: Vicky Passmore

Q1) When did you decide to become an artist?

A1) I remember being very young, maybe 5 or 6 and seeing my older sister draw, and thinking, “I can do that”! In hindsight, I was probably being more competitive than inspired, but then the inspiration came from that. I just enjoyed art without really deciding. As I became older, I hesitated to call myself an artist because most people think artists are weird or crazy (and a lot of them are), and I thought if I’m not selling art, am I really an artist? Now I’m selling, and am not so worried what others think, so I guess the decision was really a long process.

Q2) When, if at all, did you realize that God had called you to be an artist?

A2) When I was a single divorced mom struggling to provide. God put me in a job where I had too much time on my hands and to kill the time I started sketching. Really, I was dumbfounded that I still had talent after so many years of just trying to survive with no time for art. I thought, “If you don’t use it, you lose it”. So I think He was showing me that it was (still) my calling. I even sold a drawing to one of my bosses. And on top of that, different people kept giving me needed supplies that I couldn’t have afforded on my own. Talk about confirmation!

Q3) Where did you receive your training?

A3) have no degree but I did minor in art in college. Unfortunately I didn’t finish though. In high school I spent every spare minute in art class that I could. It just felt like I belonged there. And someone even stole one of my paintings. I had no idea it was that valuable! I was definitely more into painting than any of the other disciplines.

Q4)How did your training influence what you’re doing now?

A4) What I’m doing now is more script and not so much painting. That’s one of my goals; to paint more. I really think I would like to integrate the two by doing paintings overlayed with quotes. Although I did recently do a nice custom painting as a Christmas present for a customer to give to her father. She said he loved it!

Q5)Please describe your art style and medium and why you chose that particular one (or how God influenced this choice).

A5) I’m currently mostly painting inspirational quotes on reclaimed wood. It is very rustic in style, with not much priming of the wood so that it still looks like wood. I found out that you can’t just paint the quote directly on the wood or it soaks into it too much, so you have to prime at least a little. I try to keep it looking like old weathered wood as much as possible. And I use acrylics because I like the versatility and the quick drying time.

Q6)What do you do or use to keep yourself inspired for your art work?

A6)I read a lot online about other artists and collect helpful articles. When painting, I might listen to contemporary Christian music or classical, but mostly I like to feel like I’m outside (where I always feel closer to God) even though I’m in my studio, so I have an indoor water fountain going to hear the trickling sound and a couple of bird feeders outside the window to watch the birds. I’ve always marveled that God not only created an animal that flies, but that He did so in every size, shape, and color. Talk about art! He is the ultimate artist.

Q7)In what ways do you incorporate God into your work?

A7) Some of my rustic wood signs contain scripture. Some are just encouraging words that I feel led to bless someone with. I always put “Soli Deo Gloria” on the backs, which means, “To God alone be the glory”. I always pray for the customer receiving my piece that it will truly encourage them and/or their loved ones.

Q8) Is there a class or offer that you would like to share with my readers?

A8) I’m not very good at teaching but I would be happy to offer a 25% discount to anyone who mentions they read about it on Cheryl Cope’s blog! Just go to my etsy shop and convo me and mention it when you order. https://www.Etsy.com/shop/pathlighter

Q9) Any final thoughts about sharing your art work with my blog readers?

A9) I really do think God wants me to encourage people with what I do because people are so in need of encouragement right now. And I believe He spoke to me once and said, “You can reach people through your art who will never read the Bible”. Some people are more visual learners and art would have a greater impact on them, so that’s what I’m trying to do. I’m trying to let people know that God loves them without trying to make them read a book to find that out. I don’t disdain the Book, but I know some people do, and God loves them too.

Join the conversation. Share your ideas or questions in the comment form below.

Other artist interview blog posts you may like:

Visual Artist Spotlight: Cassandra Cushman

Visual Artist Spotlight: Darlene Curry

Visual Artist Spotlight: Laura Thykeson

To see a list and links to ALL my artist interviews go here. (and scroll down a bit)

ARTIST BIO: Vicky Passmore

A former Army brat born in France, but an American citizen, we moved often so I didn’t have a lot of friends. It’s not that I didn’t have any, but art did provide an enjoyable outlet. Now I live in the hills of North Georgia where no one’s a stranger and feel incredibly blessed to be here and to be doing what I love. I have a great husband, 3 grown kids, and 5 grandchildren. We have one cat, a chihuahua, a pit bull (who’s a bigger baby than the chi), and I’m claiming all the birds outside since I feed them! And I sometimes refer to myself as a hillbilly, because you know, I live in the hills.

Places to learn more about Vicky:

https://www.Etsy.com/shop/pathlighter

https://www.facebook.com/pathlighteronetsy

zibbet.com/pathlighter

http://www.pinterest.com/pathlighter/