Meet Angela Pittenger

Today we’d like to introduce you to Angela Pittenger.

Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I grew up in a small town in Southern California and learned to paint from my grandma. I took a class with her at the local library and was the only person under 65. It was the best. Grandma was an amazing painter and I drew much of my inspiration from her. Before that, I was always drawing (not always very well) and experimenting with art, especially when I got into high school. I had one great teacher that really pushed me to try new things and believed in me as an artist.

I moved to Tucson in 1996 and went to school for graphic design and became a writer! Funny how that works.
Anyway, I’ve painted for about 25 years now and am still learning. I have only recently really found my style and my voice. It takes time to do that, but once you do, it’s euphoric.

Please tell us about your art.
I play with many mediums, but oil paints and palette knives have my heart. When my grandma died I got her paint box. Inside of it were her palette knives and some photos she never got to paint. So, as a way to connect with her and try a new thing, I took her knives and used some of her photos as inspiration. It was a break through moment for me. There’s something almost carnal about painting with a knife. It kind of forces you to let go of control and allow the paint to move how it wants to.

I tend to use landscapes, seascapes, still lives and flowers to explore emotions. A fiery sunset can be passion, a grey ocean is sometimes sadness, a cherry with no seed is an empty womb, a seagull walking alone gives off a sense of solitude. I hope my viewers can look at my art and feel something, whether it’s a longing to escape to the beach, a sense of peace or even sadness. I hope to relate to people through my art in a visual way.

What do you think about conditions for artists today? Has life become easier or harder for artists in recent years? What can cities like ours do to encourage and help art and artists thrive?
It’s really hard to be an artist full-time. I have a full-time day job to support my art habit. Maybe one day it will be the other way around.

That being said, the arts community here is amazing. We have a lot of support from fellow artists and when there are events, a lot of people come out. I do wish there were more opportunities for emerging artists to show their work. Maybe more free community shows? Between paying for supplies and frames and paying to enter juried shows, it gets expensive just to have your art hang in a gallery.

Social media has made it easier to get your art seen by people that might not have seen it before, and I’ve sold a few paintings on Facebook, so in that aspect, I think life is easier. I’m excited about the future of art and can’t wait to see what’s next.

How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
People can view my work on my website: www.angelapittenger.com
On Instagram: @angelapittenger
On Facebook: pittengerspaintings

I will be participating in the Open Studios Tour October 27 and 28 at the Steinfeld Warehouse Community Arts Center, 101 W. Sixth Street. Check my Instagram and FB for updates on upcoming shows.

You can support my work by leaving comments or likes on social media, connecting with me, buying prints, cards or originals and by going to shows and saying hi if you see me. 🙂

Contact Info:

• Website: www.angelapittenger.com
• Phone: 520-488-8095
• Email: angelapittengerphoto@gmail.com
• Instagram: @angelapittenger
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pittengerspaintings/

Image Credit:
Angela Pittenger

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