Pamela S. Conley
Pamela S. Conley came to art later in life, beginning her practice in her late fifties after a career rooted in science. Trained in biology, she worked as a biochemist in medical research and once imagined a future in fieldwork. A diagnosis of Lyme disease made it impossible for her to continue working, prompting a major shift in direction. Art became a way to cope with physical limitations and reorient her sense of purpose.
Her early art education was informal. She audited introductory classes at a local university and supplemented that foundation through independent study and online learning. For many years, her work focused on realism that emphasized detail without aiming for strict photorealism. More recently, she has begun exploring expressive abstraction, with the goal of expanding her visual language while remaining anchored to the themes that have consistently drawn her in.
Conley is not tied to a single medium. She works across oils, watercolors, and pastels, and has added acrylics as her abstract work has developed. Texture plays an important role in her practice, allowing her to create surfaces that feel layered and alive rather than flat. She has also begun considering mixed media as a way to further deepen that sense of physical presence.
Her scientific background has shaped both the subject matter and trajectory of her work. Without consciously planning it, she found herself repeatedly drawn to painting life forms: mammals, plants, insects, and other organisms. Over time, she noticed a growing focus on endangered species, which she then pursued intentionally. The accelerating pace of the current mass extinction became a central concern, motivating her to document rare and disappearing animals as a form of awareness and preservation.
Because she is not able to travel extensively, Conley relies on photographic references sourced online, selecting images that resonate emotionally. When working from photographs, particularly of animals, she contacts the photographers to request permission and often develops ongoing exchanges with them. These collaborations extend beyond reference use, with shared stories, mutual support, and follow-up documentation of the finished paintings.
One work that exemplifies her approach is Jaguar Hunting. Using a photograph by Paul Fine as the basis for the animal itself, Conley introduced foliage and lighting to heighten the emotional intensity of the scene. The composition centers on a moment of suspended recognition, capturing both predator and prey in a shared instant of stillness. For Conley, the painting reflects a broader understanding of interconnected life, emphasizing awareness, vulnerability, and the fragile balance humanity continues to disrupt.
