Pam DeVries, Just Being Koi, 2024, soft pastel, 11 x 9 x 1 in

Making art has long provided Pam DeVries with a sense of peace and balance. When her inner world-or the world around her-feels marked by turmoil or chaos, painting becomes a source of joy, clarity, and meaning. Through creative expression, she seeks equilibrium and a sense of renewal, finding comfort in discovering beauty in nature, in animals, and even in everyday human interactions.

Her work has often been described as "outsider art." Having received no formal training, DeVries believes this background contributes to a sense of freedom in her practice. Without adherence to conventional rules or academic structures, she approaches painting intuitively, guided by exploration rather than established methodology. This openness allows her to experiment and respond directly to color, form, and process.

Painting serves as a space for play and discovery. She delights in the richness of color and works across multiple media, primarily acrylic and watercolor, while expanding her experimentation in recent years to include soft pastels and oils. Each painting becomes an immersive environment-an internal world where she can work for extended periods of time.