Today we’d like to introduce you to Amy Pagan.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I’ve been an artist since I first held a crayon. Pens, pencils and paintbrushes always felt like an extension of my hands, a tool to transport my thoughts into the physical world.
But once I graduated college, I didn’t pursue art. I just didn’t know how to turn it into a career. But I was always art-adjacent, finding creative paths in very not-creative jobs.
After a long career in journalism and then PR and marketing, I found myself running social media and marketing for the events department for the city of Plano. When the COVID lockdown hit, there were no events. So I transformed our social media platforms into an interactive arts space. I interviewed local artists, dancers, singers, chefs – anyone creative – and posted spotlights of them, including links to their social media. It was a way to help them find an audience – and some income – without leaving their homes. I changed our live band bookings into online shows.
And then there was my art class. I started it for children. I’m a mom myself and so I knew that math and science were now being taught online, but there was no art class. So I started one. It was open to anyone. I taught simple projects anyone could make at home using paints, crayons, pencils – whatever they had on hand. It blew up. Quickly. I think my first class had eight people. And then it was hundreds, and quickly thousands of all ages – five year olds to seniors. Eventually, I had 123,000 people per class.
We talked while we created, me online, my students in the comments. We shared jokes and interesting facts about the subject of the day. One student appointed herself our “Interesting fact of the day” poster. Another was always on hand with age-appropriate jokes, because this was an all ages class. Another always commented on my nail art. They were from all over. Not just Plano – all over the U.S., and Europe. One family joined me every week from the Amazon Rainforest.
They shared their art with me. And I posted their creations – a world-wide refrigerator display is how I thought of it.
In 2021, I was named ArtCentre Plano’s Artist of the Year. I now had gallery shows with other artists and lots of opportunities to share my art. My husband and I talked and agreed it was time for me to leave my city job and follow art.
This summer kicks off the beginning of my latest art endeavor: North Texas Visual Arts. It’s starting with summer camps run out of ArtCentre Plano, with plans to grow to classes for all ages, children, teens and adults. We’re doing all kinds of projects together: painting, drawing, sculpting, and textile art. And of course there will be jokes and fun facts and building a community around art.
It feels good to be able to share my lifelong love of art, to help others discover – or rediscover- their inner artist. Anyone who wants to join me can sign up at NTXvisualarts.com.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has not been a smooth road. I had a lot of people telling me art wasn’t a real job, or laughing at my ideas. And I had a big case of imposter syndrome, coupled with a heavy dose of perfectionism.
But I was very lucky to have Suzy Jones, Executive Director of Art Centre Plano, as my mentor. She really held my hand, and continues to give me energy and encouragement. I also have a very close group of girlfriends (which includes two of my sisters) who build me up as well. But my biggest supporters are my daughter and my husband. They both do everything they can to help me – from wiring the frames on my paintings, to hauling my gear into markets, and from giving me mountains of “You can do it!” to endless hugs and love. I am truly grateful for everyone who helps me.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My medium of choice is watercolor. For a perfectionist like me, it’s an ironic choice. Watercolor is notoriously fickle, unable to be controlled. But I think that’s why I love it. There are tricks and techniques, but ultimately, the paint is in control and I just follow and see where it leads me.
I love to find beauty in small things, and magnify. I love to translate the joy I feel into visual joy to be shared. My work generally highlights nature and wildlife, because that is where I feel most at home.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
I have a calling. Every child loves to create. They love their crayons and fingerprints and art class. But once they hit about age 12, they start to compare their work to others. They start worrying they aren’t good enough. They label themselves. And very few stay with the label “artist.” But that’s such a shame, because in losing the creative process, you lose so much. Art isn’t just about the finished product, it’s about the creative process. And learning to embrace the creative process has been proven to improve all other thought processes. Kids who stay creative score higher in standardized tests. They have better conflict resolution skills, and they grow to become creative problem solvers. The creative process decreases stress and builds confidence and community.
So my goal is to continue sharing the creative process and encouraging others to bring art into their lives. I’m starting with just a few camps this summer, but I have big plans to see North Texas Visual Arts grow.
Pricing:
- A week of summer camp is 245.
- Private painting parties are 350 for a group of 12.
- Original artwork is priced from 215 to 350.
- Commissioned paintings are priced per project.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://NTXvisualarts.com
- Instagram: @northtexasvisualarts
- Facebook: @northtexasvisualarts
- Other: @ntxvisualarts on TikTok or email amy@ntxvisualarts.com
Image Credits
All photos were taken by me, Amy Pagan.
