Arizona Artist a Day: Day 160:Pamela C Drapala

Artist Mission Statement:

With a passionate and well-crafted line, Pamela Drapala paints faces. She depicts the wholeness of a person’s being through a careful study of that person’s life. Her paintings portray a dignified ethnicity in her subjects. Before painting a person, she conducts thorough research into the person’s country, customs, and costume. Through this investigation she accentuates the individuality and fullness of her subjects. Her portraits are a collection of multi-cultural identities. At times, however, she works completely from intuition, letting her portraits take shape from her subconscious. In these instances, her work may resemble old acquaintances or lost loved ones. Since childhood in the Southwest, Drapala has studied painting with a concentration in portraiture. As a constant creative spirit, she also publishes books, writes poetry and lyrics, and creates sculptures. She currently lives and works in the Southwest and her work has been commissioned by individuals across the United States.

http://www.pameladrapala.com/

Biography:
Pamela Carvajal Drapala - Born and raised in Yuma, Arizona. Attended Yuma Union High School, Arizona Western College and Northern Arizona University. Degree: AA, Arizona Western College. BA in English and focus in Art. Scholarship Founder of the Vincent A. Carvajal Art Scholarship for Yuma high school area seniors. 3.96 GPA - Northern Arizona University. While in college, a member of Phi Kappa Phi, Sigma Tau Delta, Sigma Alpha Lambda, Arizona Association of Chicanos for Higher Education, and the National Museum of Women in the Arts.
Publications:
Four published books, poetry, essays, and short stories can be found at - In the Eyes of the Wild, Yuma Daily Sun, Shuz Magazine, Awareness Magazine, Colorado Crossing Editions, Library of Congress, Reaction Exit Art, La Hercencia Magazine Editions (2), and Time of Trial, Hidden Press, two CNN I-Reports.
Exhibitions and Performances:
2017, continues to show art at various studios, galleries, and art centers. One Woman Show, ALAC-147, Phoenix, AZ October 2013, Tempe Library Arizona Centennial, Bikers’ Series 2012, One Woman Show, Yuma Fine Arts 2012, Arizona Centennial, ALAC Art Show 2012, NAU Celebration of Achievement and Showcase, April 8, 2008. Gathering of Three, June 9, 2006, through September 30, 2006, Yuma Art Center Museum (Historic Downtown), 254 S. Main Street. Supported by the Yuma Fine Arts, City of Yuma, Arizona Commission On the Arts, and the National Endowment for the Arts. Galeria Tonantzin - Las Mujeres Exhibit, San Juan Bautista, California, March 11, 2006. Night of 1,000 Drawings, Artists Space, New York, New York, December 2005. Arizona Western College - On the Border Exhibit - Farm Worker Series - September 2004. Agora Gallery, Soho New York - June through July 2004. Taste of Fine Art Auction - Yuma, Arizona - Donation of Frida at Peace. Hospice Ocean to Ocean Art Show - October 2003 - Donation of The Crossing and African Sunset Tiles.
Art, Poetry, and Photography - Presentations to Audiences:

La Llorona, Anthology 2012, painting image, Yuma Regional Medical Center Volunteer Children’s Area 2010 (presenter of poetry, art, and nursery rhythms), Northern Arizona University 20^th Anniversary Celebration 2008, art, poetry, and photography presentation – Fruitful Yuma Valley, Arizona Western College 2008, art, poetry, and photography – We are all Connected, March 13, 2008. Desert Artists, Yuma, Arizona, November, 2006.

Awards:
Artist of the Year, Fine Arts, Yuma County Fair for the painting, “John English” from Bikers’ Series, Outstanding Purple Ribbon, Fine Art Competition, Yuma, AZ 2005, Pay Day, Farm Worker Series. Blue Ribbons: Fine Art Competition, Yuma, AZ 2005, Geronimo and Adam, Farm Worker Series. Cash Award Gold Rosette and Purple Rosette, Art Competition, Yuma, AZ 2005. Luz, Farm Worker Series. Purple Ribbon, Art Competition, Yuma, AZ 2005, Jorge, Farm Worker Series. Outstanding Ribbon: Fine Art Competition Yuma, AZ 2004, Yuma Eve, Farm Worker Series. Grand Champion (Cash Award) and Outstanding 2003: The Weaver Outstanding, The Green Eyed Girl, 2003 Outstanding: My Daughters and Angel, 1990s. Three Cash Awards for Costume Design - Yuma Country Fair. First Place: Frida at Peace, 2003 First Place: Frustration, 1990s. First Place: Blue Moon, 1990s. Second Place: My Friend Hong, 2003. Second Place: Laura and Ashley, 1980s.

Next Endeavor: Yuma Farm Worker Sculptures Series #1, and The Fruitful Yuma Valley, poetry, short story, poetry, and art book.

Proudest Moment as an Artist: Selling my nine portraits in the Yuma Farm Workers’ Series to a Yuma Business man in Yuma. In addition, painting various commissions for individuals throughout the USA.

Platform: An advocate for peace for all peoples of the world.

Favorite Quote: “Man is nothing without a meaningful purpose.” . . . Pamela Carvajal Drapala