Pam Doan – Oil, Acrylic and Photography

Artist: Pam O’Brien Doan, Art By Pam O’Brien Doan
Medium: Oil, Acrylic and Photography

Artist Bio:

Born in Bend, Oregon, Pam grew up on the rural slopes of the Cascades. She spent most of her life studying the outdoors from the Pacific coast to the high desert of Central Oregon.

At a very young age Pam knew she was going to experience her state with brush in hand. She started sketching at the age of five and sold her first painting at seventeen. Pam studied the masters in school but her primary source of study in the arts was observing and working with other artists.

Pam sells her paintings through displaying in galleries, participating in art shows and by commission work. Her working career spanned from graphic design, commercial art, magazine publication, advertising/marketing management and print production.

In the early years Pam worked long hours at her public job while finding very little time to paint. There was very little left for personal creation. She was at the crossroads whether to continue her love of painting when one day she had a choice opportunity to be encouraged by her first mentor. An artist who taught art, collected art and was a “Connoisseur Of Art, Bill Yelland” of Yelland Gallery in Orange, California. Mr. Yelland was one of the 40 top restorationists in the world and member of the London Guild of Artists and Restorationists. After critiquing a painting of Pam’s, Mr. Yelland sent her a letter of instruction and also a recorded session encouraging her to continue on with her painting.

In 1989, Pam became a juried member for the Blue House Gallery in Springdale, Multnomah County, Springdale, Oregon. She had the opportunity to work with mentor Ted Haines. Ted was a wildlife artist and well known for his western paintings of horses and vintage landscapes. “I guess you might say that Ted and I were like kindred spirits as we both had the same background and we both worked by the same principle of being disciplined in our artistry.”

Ted was a member of the Western and Wildlife Association and convinced Pam to start showing her work at the western and wildlife shows in Washington. It was an exciting time meeting artists who gave Pam first hand advice and encouragement. During those years Pam acquired solo shows and participated in exhibits. She obtained several “People’s Choice Awards’ as well as “Best of Show.” Pam also started her own art business in 2001.

In 2004, Pam retired from the Gresham School District in Multnomah County. She then went to work for the Reynolds School District. Pam was approached by one of the teachers and asked if she could teach her students the basics of art. Pam not only taught them hands on experience but shared the history of art. “It was a most gratifying experience to teach young students.”

Pam and her husband, Jim, returned to the Willamette Valley and settled in the Lebanon area. While painting is her first love, Pam has time to do some photography. “I try to capture the brilliance, continuity and the balance of nature around me.”

Pam’s current photography project has produced a series of images which she calls “Photo Impressionism.” Pam states, “Today’s technology offers a portal of NEW AGE art application and I’m excited to be a part of that.”

Pam is a realist in nature and has a great compassion toward wildlife and our domestic friends. Each year she selects some of her work for special benefits such as the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Albany, OR, Safe Haven Shelter, Albany, OR, Pheasants Forever Foundation, Lebanon, OR, Second Chance Companions, Vancouver, WA, and Sweet Home High School Scholarship Fund, Sweet Home, OR.

Pam is an active member of the Corvallis Art Guild and the Brownsville Art Center. Her work is currently on display at the Brownsville Art Center. She is a member of the Board Committee, Advertising and Marketing Committee, Display Committee and is currently designing various projects for the Center.

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