For years, Pauly Tamez has been a student of the outside. He’s been trying to translate the environs and vistas of Texas to canvas since he first put paint to paper as a child. Now an adult and full-time artist, Tamez revels less in capturing a scene and more in discovering it. We sat down with the Boerne master to learn more about his inspiration, his vision, and the joy that he finds in being a man who makes art.
[Responses edited for length and clarity]
How did you get started in art and painting?
I discovered I could color drawings with water-based paint around age seven when I got one of those inexpensive watercolor paint sets with a single brush. I've painted with several mediums since then and pretty much grew up expressing myself with one medium or the other. I had a couple of great mentors who influenced my work and encouraged me to develop a passion for painting. The late Bill Zaner helped me develop the discipline of painting quickly and consistently. David Caton helped me develop my skills as a fine artist by exposing me to other historical painters and encouraging me to study color and composition.
What inspires you artistically?
Certainly, my environment—be it the Hill Country, West Texas, the Gulf Coast, or anywhere else I travel—is an inspiration for landscapes. But ultimately, it is about reaching people. I am a servant, a giver, a teacher, and a life-changer. I give away as many or more paintings as I sell. I love to teach, and I know my painting changes the lives of each person I see, meet, or engage with. I see paintings in everything, everywhere. Sometimes I wake up thinking of my next work. I relate to Vincent Van Gogh when he said, "I dream my painting, and then I paint my dream."
How do you describe your style?
When I paint landscapes, florals, or representational works, I use an impressionist style: loose and colorful, representing subjects with shapes with little detail. My abstract work is very expressionistic. I paint bold colors that flow and move. I love painting something that different people see in different ways. It's my expression, and the viewer's interpretation, but color, shape, composition, and perspective all come into play.
There’s a stereotype that men don’t appreciate fine art. Do you find that to be true?
I agree that it's a stereotype, but it's not accurate. I have yet to find a man who is not, at some level, appreciative of fine art. I've related to all sorts of men through my art— professionals, craftsmen, country boys, outdoorsmen, veterans, tradesmen, and service workers. Art is emotional, and it reaches all men on some level, even if they don't like it. We all see things differently. Of course most men have an appreciation for fine art!
What does the future hold for you and your art?
When I retired, I was able to merge my passion with my purpose. I determined I wanted to paint the rest of my life. I work every day to get better—emotionally, spiritually, and as an artist. I don't want my paintings 10 or 20 years from now to look like they do today. I'm always trying new things, techniques, styles, and colors. I want to be a better artist, and I am purposely working toward that. And that purpose is wrapped in service, giving, teaching, and changing people's lives.
You can find Pauly Tamez’s work at venues and galleries around Boerne, San Antonio, and the Hill Country. Learn more at ptamezart.com.