Pam Finlay — Expression, Texture, and the Essence of Light
- Glenda Brown
- Oct 31
- 2 min read
Pam Finlay’s connection to art runs deep, tracing back to her childhood. Her creative path truly began at age 13, when her mother enrolled her in Saturday art classes with a renowned local artist. Those afternoons became the highlight of her week. "I was captivated beyond measure," Pam recalls. That early spark has continued to guide her artistic journey ever since.
Today, Pam is a contemporary mixed media artist known for her expressive and eclectic style. She embraces change and experimentation, allowing each piece to evolve organically. "I never like to recreate something twice,” she says. Her work is shaped by the influence of the Impressionists especially - Cézanne and Monet - whose sensitivity to light, expression, and fleeting moments deeply resonate with her own artistic sensibility.
Pam’s creative process often begins with a simple thought or feeling. From there, she works intuitively, making marks that shape the rhythm and mood of her composition. Colour and texture play a central role in her practice, weaving together emotion and form. Much of her inspiration comes from her daily morning walks, where she observes the subtle details of the world around her - the way sunlight filters through trees, or the texture of bark and leaves.
Recently, Pam has been exploring textiles, using stitch as a way to create texture and depth. “As I’ve aged, my work has mellowed,” she reflects. “It’s developed a freedom of self-expression. It’s not about capturing the exact likeness of something, but its essence.” That sense of authenticity and quiet reflection shines through her recent achievements. In the past year, two of her works were accepted into major exhibitions: an artist book for the 2025 Libris Awards: The Australian Artist Book Prize, and a stitched self-portrait for Fibre Arts Take Two’s Time Well Spent international exhibition. “I felt honoured that these two works were worthy of recognition,” she says.
Pam believes that growth as an artist comes through continual learning and community. She regularly attends professional development workshops with other artists and values the shared inspiration that comes from creative exchange. “We can always learn from one another,” she says.
For Pam, art is both a personal sanctuary and a way to connect with others. “Art makes me feel alive and free,” she says. “It has a calming influence on me, and I hope that sense of joy and peace is something the viewer can feel too.”
Pam is also a valued member of CCW, consistently contributing to our exhibitions and supporting our creative community. Her dedication and talent have been recognised as a finalist in both the 2024 and 2025 Great Barrier Reef Festival Art Exhibitions. We look forward to seeing what she creates next as her artistic journey continues to evolve!
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