PAM GRAU PRINTS
I think of my art practice as postcards to myself from places I have visited but will never find again.
Lotus #8
Inspired by a visit to Lotusland,
Montecito, California
Welcome to my site!
For me, "making" is a way of life, a daily practice of creative expression that touches every aspect of my day. Whether I'm experimenting in the kitchen, painting, drawing, or just walking in nature, my mind is always engaged in the act of creating. I find deep satisfaction in watching ideas take shape and become tangible. My art is the natural by-product of acting out my thoughts and inspirations. As a painter, I find joy in the physicality of painting, playing with color, moving it across the surface of a canvas or paper, and letting the process surprise me. Recently, my creative journey has been enriched by road trips with my sweetheart, who is a gifted photographer. These shared adventures bring fresh inspiration, as I document the wonders we see together. While his art lies in capturing moments with his lens, my photographs rarely stay as they are - they call to be transformed, worked into paint, and reimagined. For me, blending the awe of discovery with paint, design and ink creates something entirely new, a reflection of the wonder I find in the world and the joy I feel in making it my own.
available collection
my story
For decades, I have been a mixed-media painter, creating large, textured, and richly layered pieces that now grace hotels and luxury homes. While my work thrived in physical spaces, it didn’t translate easily into digital formats. During the pandemic, I discovered my late father’s woodcutting tools and ventured into printmaking—cutting plates and experimenting with work on paper. At first the prints were abstract like my textural paintings, but then I re-visited my roots as an illustrator. I attended Art center College of Design 1978-1980 hoping to become a children's book illustrator but let go of figurative work after school. No one is more surprised than me about these nostalgic graphic pieces but here they are and I honor what comes through me. This exploration of making prints opened a new chapter in my art-making practice. Now, four years later, my process has evolved. I no longer create woodcuts or use a printing press. Instead, I paint papers and then scan and collage them, bringing them to life as illustrations in my iPad. Many of these pieces are drawn inspiration from photographs taken during my travels, merging my love of art and storytelling into vibrant, joyful works.
The Yellowstone Series:
Inspired by a road trip to the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone in 2024. Immersed in so much beauty is good for one's soul and sparks creativity.
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