Meet Pame’ Sawyer-Smith | Abstract Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Pame’ Sawyer-Smith and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Pame’, how did you come up with the idea for your business?
I came up with the idea for my hand painted note card business after seeing a beautifully painted abstract note card in a bookstore. I fell in love with it’s unique abstractness, texture and colors.  I was a recent college graduate, on a very tight budget and really couldn’t afford an $8 note card so I decided to  create my own!

I always wanted to be an artist but couldn’t major in art in college due to being a student athlete as the required practice times for my sport and the required studio times clashed.  Therefore, as soon as I graduated college, I was determined to embark on my dream of being an artist.  Seeing this beautiful notecard helped solidify my love and passion for abstract art and I started on my journey as an abstract artist in 1992!

I love to send and receive special cards and letters in the mail.  Imagine receiving a beautifully hand painted note card with a special note inside in the mail! It’s a total keepsake and can be framed as an original piece of art and displayed on your desk, bookcase, wall etc.

I also envisioned creating invitations and thank you cards for weddings, baby showers, special events etc. in custom color schemes.  Each year my family and friends look forward to receiving my hand painted note cards for their birthdays, congratulations, holidays, special life events and simple hellos. 

I’m happy to say that today my vision has held true to my original dream.  I’m 31 years in and still as excited and passionate about creating art as I was back in 1992!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I create abstract art in the form of paintings, hand painted note cards and hand painted bookmarks.  I think what sets my art apart from other abstract artists is the dreamy flow of the colors and also the color combinations I use.

I approach colors critically when selecting color combinations for my pieces. I specifically paint my note cards, bookmarks and paintings in color series which will appeal to each person’s specific color preferences.  I have color series for all of my products ie. red series, yellow series, pink series etc., in which a person whose favorite color is pink can select the Pink Series in my product lines and just take a deep dive in a plethora of exciting pink color combinations to choose from! It’s a pink lover’s dream! My goal is to always create something for everyone to have a choice in their particular favorite colors.

My journey as a professional abstract artist has not been an easy one, however I have learned and grown so much each step of the way.  It’s really tough to make it in the arts industry.  The starving artist adage is no joke!  If you don’t have a stable “other” career to support you while pursuing your artistic dreams it can be rough financially. There are those artists who are fortunate enough to have made it as full-time artists and sell their paintings for thousands of dollars on a regular basis.  This is the exception, not the norm. The norm is you keep grinding at your passion and perfecting your craft, making industry connections while working your “other” job until your big “breakthrough” comes! Never give up on your dream!

In order to overcome the challenges of trying to increase sales, staying ahead of competitors, becoming and staying relevant, I research A LOT! I look at trends in the industry in terms of colors for interior design each year and create bodies of work that follow these predictions.  I also look at trends and “followers” of other artists and see what works for them and how they are engaging and attracting their followers and customers.  No sense in re-inventing the wheel, right?  I research how to get my products in front of my “niche” markets.  I look at possible influencers who could be a huge advocate for my products and visions.  These are just a few of the ways I approach overcoming hurdles in getting my products in front of the right people.

My company, Red Canvas Gallery, is a woman owned and operated, on-line gallery based out of the Atlanta, GA area.   I work nationally and internationally with customers in search of beautifully unique ways to correspond with their family, friends and colleagues for special life/work events or just simple hellos via hand painted note cards.

I also reach those avid book readers and book clubs who have a love for reading and are equally as passionate about their bookmarks! We have beautiful and sturdy hand painted bookmarks that will also transport the reader while enjoying their favorite books.

Lastly, the paintings! We can’t forget the paintings.  I create beautiful, dreamy (sometimes edgy too) abstract paintings in all sizes and all colors for every setting whether it’s residential, commercial or TV/Film.  I work closely with private collectors, interior designers and set designers who are looking for unique pieces or pieces in a specific color combo, size etc.  I also work on commission for custom pieces.

My product lines can be viewed at www.redcanvasgallery.com , www.etsy.com/shop/redcanvasgallery or you can schedule a phone/studio consult to discuss your design ideas for custom work.

I also have some of my work at the following retail locations:

The Consignment House – 4665 Lower Roswell Rd Marietta, GA 30068

Westside Market Midtown – 1530 Ellsworth Industrial Blvd NW Atlanta, GA  30318

Westside Market Roswell – 606 Holcomb Bridge Rd Suite 140 Roswell GA  30076

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
For lunch I would suggest Bar Vegan in the Ponce City Market – 675 Ponce De Leon Ave NE Suite N-215, Atlanta, GA 30308. On Saturdays they have a live DJ and the music transports you to a trendy club while the good food and cocktails pleases the palate! I’m not vegan but I love the vegan food here! I can’t tell it’s vegan!  Also, there is amazing shopping in the Ponce City Market plaza and other restaurants to choose from.

One of my favorite places to dine for dinner is TWO Urban Licks – 820 Ralph McGill Blvd. NE Atlanta, GA 30306. AMAZING menu, beautifully designed dining areas and the patio view of the skyline is out of this world!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to “Shoutout” to my family, friends, artist colleagues, customers/collectors, interior designers and anyone else who have supported my vision and dream.

Website: www.redcanvasgallery.com

Instagram: @redcanvasgallery

Twitter: @redcanvasgal

Facebook: @redcanvasgallery

Other: www.etsy.com/shop/redcanvasgallery

Image Credits
Works by Abstract Artist – Pame’ Sawyer-Smith