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Divinely Inspired is designed to introduce you to my favorite creative people in the spiritual and metaphysical community and industry. As you may already know, I strongly believe that we are most in-tune with the Divine (Spirit, All, Universe, God, etc) when we are in the active state of creating, just like children at play. Unfortunately with the rise in popularity and commercialism in all things metaphysical and spiritual, now compounded by the use of artificial intelligence (AI), there is a lot of “stuff” out there that is just that, stuff that lacks any genuine Divine inspiration. My solution? Every so often, I will bring you one amazing creator whose work I believe to be Divinely inspired along with where you can find them in hopes that you follow their journey and gain inspiration for your own creative outlets. We all have the ability to create masterpieces and connect with Source while doing it, let them show you how.
I met Pam for the first time at TIDE 2023 and within the hour of whatever class it was we were in, I knew that she was my people. It’s not just her incredible personality, kindness and wittiness, she and I share a deep love for dragons. There is a lot to be said for spiritual practitioners that know the way and medicine of the dragon, there is a reason it is found throughout the world. More on that to come as we prepare to enter the Year of the Dragon. Pam was a Featured Speaker and went in depth into the wisdom of her Steele Wizard tarot that was being released for it’s third edition after having been procured by REDFeather Publishing. It was actually the dragon emblem on the rear of the cards that prompted our conversation about dragons and her gifting me these amazing ear pieces that whisper to my Rennie heart. Since that time I have started to get to know this incredible woman more and more and feel very lucky to know that I can call on her for sage, down to earth advice and wisdom, and definitely a smart comment and laughter.
Pamela Steele Short Bio
Pamela Steele is an award-winning artist, author, and professional tarot reader with strong beliefs in self-empowerment and self-mastery. Decades of experience have given her the knowledge that we each have the ability to recreate ourselves and our lives with passion and intent.
Did you produce art or creative works prior to producing spiritual or metaphysical inspired pieces? If so, what did you do or do you still do?
I sold my first oil painting when I was 15 years old. That year, I had been refused admission to the art class at school because according to the art director, I “Have no talent” so I shouldn’t “waste” her time. That just made me more determined. In the late 70s, I began showing art at Science Fiction-Fantasy conventions and often won best of show for my work. By the 80s, I expanded into cartoons featuring dragons, wizards, a gremlin, and a cat while winning awards for those drawing. After moving back to Canada, I opened a custom glass frosting business and again, won best of show for a hippocampus I triple-stage frosted on a large ornate mirror. After that “fad” ran its course, I was contacted by my BFF/cousin who convinced me to start working on the tarot deck that had been in my head for over 20 years. In spite of having serious arthritis, I still design and create digital art with my trusty stylus and a tablet and, occasionally, custom
tattoos.
What was your first spiritual or metaphysical inspired creation, and what was it that inspired you to create it?
It was an oil painting of a mother and her baby. After my oldest son was born, my entire life changed in so many wonderful, wonder-filled ways. I tried to capture the feeling of the bond that he and I formed at his birth.
What theme do you favor or do you find inspires you the most in your creations and why?
I paint and draw from feelings. I may or may not entirely know or understand the subject, but I know exactly how the picture is supposed to feel. Of course, the movement, smells, and textures are missing from the finished piece, but I can usually capture and express the authenticity of the feeling that inspired the piece. Being a Professional Dreamer helps fuel my muse who is a bit relentless when it comes time to getting me to the drawing board.
Do you research or spend any amount of time planning before you start working on a piece, or do you just let it flow following more of your intuitive process?
Depending on the subject, I might research figures, animals, or art pieces that embody the feelings I’m going to convey. After gathering my inspiration, I generally study the piece until it fits into the niche I’m working on. That’s followed by filing the original away and turning my imagination loose to bring the vision into reality.
Some artists or creators work best during certain times of the day or evening, do you have a preference or notice any difference when it comes to your inspiration?
I prefer quiet. Anytime of the day or night, quiet is mandatory. Years ago, I would lose track of time and go for hours or even a full day and night working on a current project. Eventually, I learned to keep one foot on the ground so I would notice things like hunger, fatigue, and brain fog. Now, creativity is more like a dimmer switch than an on/off switch. It’s always on, but I can dim or brighten it as needed.
Do you follow astrological activity or even just simply lunar signs and phases for your creative process?
No. If I hit a brick wall, I might check to see if there’s something going on that I need to adapt to or adjust. But other than that, it’s a matter of time, space, and Quiet.
Do you have any special energy or spiritual practices that you do before, during, or after your creative sessions?
No, that’s on a dimmer switch too.
Do you feel a greater connection to the universe, spirit, God, all, etc. through being a creator or artist?
That’s like the chicken or the egg proverb. It was the connection that led me to art when I was 5 years old.
What is your favorite creation or piece to date and why?
LOL! That’s like asking me which child is my favorite! But in the spirit of the interview, there’s an oil painting I did in 1984 titled “Battle Cry” that launched me from the amateur class to professional competitions. She’s always been special to me. Then there’s “BABY!” the first cartoon dragon I did about the same time. That one led me to being more relaxed about art and finding my sense of humor within the creation process. But, more recently, there’s the “Maiden of Pentacles” from the Steele Wizard Tarot and “Wisdom from the Eternal Seeker Oracle.”
What advice would you give to those that say that they are not creative or artistic, and it’s just not in their capabilities?
I would suggest that they haven’t found their niche yet. Everyone has talent. Everyone creates. We each have our tools and inspiration. There are no exceptions.
What do you like most about being a creator in the spiritual or metaphysical community?
Art transcends the written and spoken word. I don’t need to speak Italian to adore the works of Michelangelo, or Dutch to stand in awe of the Dutch Masters. I feel like I can portray small parts of the truths I have discovered through art and share them with a larger audience. It’s up to each individual to use these offerings as stepping stones or spring boards to develop their self-mastery according to their individuality.
What do you hope your work will bring to the world as a whole, particularly those in the spiritual community or on a personal spiritual journey?
It is my hope that we all find our common humanity and stop the divisive rhetoric. If I can’t find something I agree with on the opposite side, then I’m not being true to myself. As a child, my grandmother drilled into me, “Don’t judge another until you’ve walked a mile in their shoes.” Of course, as a smart-mouth teen I threw it back as, “Then, if you’re still not willing to compromise, you’re a mile away and you have their shoes.” That got me extra garden duty for over a week.
What is your ultimate personal or professional goal as a creator or artist?
This hasn’t changed since I got my first tarot deck back in early 1979; I choose to bring tarot out of the backroom and into the conversation. People read their daily horoscopes without burning in hell. They need to know they can read their daily tarot or oracle card and be wiser and more informed and NOT burn in hell.
Do you have an opinion about the advent of AI art?
All art forms have their place. AI art combines existing art with prompts and in a matter of minutes, or seconds, a picture is created. If people insist on using this platform, it needs its own genre.
Feel free to add anything extra that you want readers, especially those new to your world, to know about your creative works!
There is One Mountain that I have named “Truth.” This mountain has an infinite variety of paths that lead to the top and wholeness. These paths can be traveled in tandem or alone. There is no “wrong” path. If a person steps off of their path, they are exploring different versions of “Who they are not.” When they’re ready, that person will once again step back onto their path knowing the shadows they cast are from the brilliance of the light they carry with them. They can embrace and embody the wholeness that comes with knowing who they are not by integrating those experiences into who they are. There are no absolutes. There are only varying degrees of Being.
A HUGE THANK YOU to Pam for taking the time out of her busy life to share her creative genius and life wisdom with us!
Want to connect with Pamela and support her work? Check her out on Facebook at Pamela Steele and Tarot Readings by Pamela, Instagram at Tarot by Pamela Steele, Twitter at Steele Wizard, YouTube at Tarot by Pamela Steele, and her website Tarot by Pamela Steele.
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Uncredited images from my personal collection or stock images