Pamela Trail
AQ is our series of hardcover catalogs celebrating extraordinary women artists. Available on Amazon. Visit the AQ Catalog Webpage to learn more.
Pamela Trail, featured in AQ Volume VI, is a third-generation artist and Fine Arts graduate of Colorado State University. Her passion for art was recognized early—at age 10, one of her paintings was selected to hang in the Colorado Governor’s office, a defining moment that set her path. Pamela began her creative career in graphic design, eventually becoming a creative director in the craft brewing industry and co-owner of an artisan cheesemaking business. These ventures sharpened her eye for composition and taught her to balance precision with play—a principle that continues to guide her visual style.
Now based in Boise, Idaho, painting is her way of reconnecting with instinct, imagination, and emotion. She creates vibrant, layered works in acrylic and pencil that blur the line between abstraction and realism. Her art has been featured in galleries, juried exhibitions, and businesses across the Pacific Northwest, earning multiple awards.
www.pamelatrailart.com
What inspired you to become an artist, and how did you decide to commit to this path?
Growing up with a successful artist mother, I was inspired by her ability to defy the ‘struggling artist’ stereotype and make a life in art both fulfilling and sustainable. After three decades in graphic design, raising a family, and co-owning a business, I reached a turning point at 53. Reawakened by a long-held desire to follow in her footsteps, I embraced painting full-time with clarity, passion, and purpose.
Could you share the story or concept behind your recent work?
As a child, I was endlessly imaginative—dreaming up stories and wishing I could step into picture books. Art was my escape then, and still is now. Many of my landscapes are inspired by remembered places, but more often imagined—shaped by feeling rather than fact, like swatches of blurred color glimpsed through a car window—to capture the energy and emotion of a fleeting moment in time.
What role does experimentation and exploration play in your artistic practice?
My background in graphic design fuels my love for strong composition, with lines, patterns, and shapes woven throughout my work. I experiment by blending semi-abstract landscapes with bold geometric forms, exploring the tension between realism and abstraction. It’s a constant dance between control and spontaneity, where each piece evolves through risk, curiosity, and play.
What message do you hope your art conveys to the world?
I believe art has the power to stir memory, emotion, or the feeling of a long-forgotten place. Through layered texture, color, and hidden marks, I invite viewers to slow down, look closer, and find a quiet sense of wonder. My aim is to bring beauty to the everyday and offer a sense of connection—perhaps drawing you into your own story or awakening a memory of a place once known.
Share a mantra or favorite quote that keeps you going.
In my studio, I keep this quote taped to the wall: "Courage is the power to let go of the familiar." – Raymond Lindquist. It reminds me to embrace vulnerability, step into the unknown, and welcome discomfort—not just in my art, but in every part of life. It’s a daily prompt to be bold, to grow through uncertainty, and to stay open, raw, and real.
