A historic farmstead in Madison County, Iowa — once home to a family of covered bridge builders — inspired Pamela S. Douglas’ prizewinning pastel painting. Surrounded by row crops and natural prairie, the scene reflects a landscape where work and nature coincide in harmony. “Its familiar architecture brought back memories of visiting my grandparents in rural Missouri as a child,” says the artist. “The painting captures the enduring spirit of Midwestern life — rooted in tradition, shaped by the land, and quietly beautiful.”
The piece was created during a plein air paint-out alongside fellow artists. “We started later in the morning, and I was immediately drawn to the interplay of light and shadow across the buildings and grasses,” she says. “But the lighting shifted quickly with the afternoon sun, and time ran out faster than we expected. I set up along a gravel road, which brought its own challenges — the locals were curious and friendly, but all that interest kicked up quite a bit of dust before I finished!”
Working on UART board, she began with a pastel underpainting using mineral spirits. “Because of the time constraints, I wanted to keep the application light and loose,” she explains. “I made deliberate color choices to create depth across the various planes of the scene. I was also mindful of connecting shadow shapes throughout the composition to guide the viewer’s eye.”
A practicing artist for over 30 years, she spent much of that time working alone in a basement studio. But everything changed two years ago when she and her daughter moved into a shared space at Mainframe Studios in Des Moines — the largest nonprofit creative workspace in the country. “Being surrounded by more than 220 creatives in such a supportive environment has completely transformed both my work and my sense of identity as an artist,” she said.
Her advice to others? Don’t be afraid to put your work out there. “If you’ve poured your heart into your art but feel intimidated by the talent around you, don’t let that hold you back. Entering art competitions can be a powerful step forward. Create authentically, stay true to your voice, and share your work with the world. Chances are, someone will be deeply moved by what you’ve created — and they might even recognize you for it.”
The Homestead (pastel, 12×16 in.) by Pamela S. Douglas won Best Plein Air Pastel in the April Plein Air Salon art competition. Do you have next month’s winner on your easel right now?
