Faith 2018

Behind the Artwork

Faith - Part of the Courage Ablaze series, Pamela Alderman, 12 x 16 inches, Watercolor on paper, 2018Viewer Responses

Amazing process in how you work the face. The mouth being the last part of the painting. Women who had been seemingly silenced by horrific circumstances—reawakened with the restoration of their voice through accompaniment of listening hearts and ears that gift compassion and hope. Maura

I see the past pain in her eyes but hope for the future too. This is a living painting.

I’ve been watching your Congo art forms evolve. Your hand has become graceful in its touch. Insightful now. Anna

Those eyes speak volumes. Barb

Faith – Part of the Courage Ablaze series, Pamela Alderman, 12 x 16 inches, Watercolor on paper, 2018

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A New Test of Courage

Behind the Artwork

Faith (detail), Pamela Alderman, Watercolor on paper, 12x16 inches, 2018

After posting Sabina’s story and image a few months ago, my friend Laurie asked me to paint another Congolese work. But Laurie’s request posed two challenges for me. The first challenge was to paint a watercolor painting. Four years ago, I had tucked away my watercolor paints—partly in frustration with my watercolor work at the time and partly because it was time to expand my art into new areas. I worried that the painting might flop due to a lack of practice.

Secondly, I had made up my mind to retire my Congolese artwork. But with that announcement, Laurie’s challenge came. This posed another dilemma: Would I stick to my plan and keep the work retired? Or would I allow my passion for the Congolese people to be rekindled? In the end, I decided to haul out my watercolors, face my insecurities, and paint.

It was also amazing to discover that the same emotional response to painting the Congolese work back in 2012 was still active. Throughout the entire painting process, my soul bled—through my paint brush onto the canvas—for Congo’s pain. So now I wonder: Is my Congolese work finished?

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Retro Art

General

Releasing Hope, Pamela Alderman, Oil on canvas, 8 x 10 inches, 2013Recently, I rediscovered this little work; it was a mock-up painting for my ArtPrize 2013 installation, Wing and a Prayer.

Releasing Hope, Pamela Alderman, Oil on canvas, 8 x 10 inches, 2013