Caryl Pomales: My Art Journey

Abstract Artist & Educator

Hello, artsy reader! Since you’re here, you may know a little bit about me—or perhaps this is our first introduction. I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to tell you all about who I am, what I do, and share with you about my art journey, my values, and more. Once you’ve read this, you’ll have the full scoop on Caryl Pomales!

Art was Always Part of my Life

I’ve loved visual art since I was a child. I developed a love of painting in my teens, thanks to my encouraging and enthusiastic teachers.

Although I took many art and design courses in college, I spent a career in the corporate and real estate world while continuing to enjoy an art practice in my spare time.

Like many of you, I’ve had many roles in my life: sales executive, caregiver, wife, artist, dog-owner, traveler, friend, auntie, donor, activist, and others. At various points in my life, one of those titles would swell in importance and become my primary role. For example, when my mother was suffering with Alzheimer’s Disease, my role as caregiver became the top-line role.

As my retirement approached, I knew for certain that I wanted the role of artist to move up to become a primary role. I finally had the freedom to pursue a life of art and go all in!

The Moment My Universe Shifted

Close to the time I retired from my full-time career, my husband and I took an amazing trip to Italy.

This was a return to a country we love to visit: We had experienced the sights of Italy's spectacular Amalfi Coast on prior trips, and spent time in Florence, Rome, and Milan. We’d also cruised Lake Como in the northern lake region and enjoyed an adventurous bike vacation, touring the quaint towns and countryside of Sicily.

On this visit, we opted to experience the ambiance of the stunning Tuscany and Umbria region.

I felt a shift within myself as we explored the forest and pastures of the beautiful Apennine Mountains. Discovering the small mountain town of Pettino, we hunted for truffles and picnicked on the hillside amongst the herding Great Pyrenees dogs and sheep. 

We were treated with Prosecco and farm-to-table delicacies, including truffles and goat cheese made from the milk of the innkeepers’ goats. 

It was sublime, and I allowed my mind to float and dream. I dreamed about what my life would be like if I gave myself permission to live my dream of doing what excited me more than anything else: to live the rest of my life as an artist.

I found myself having an epiphany! I suddenly knew deep within my bones that I wanted to devote myself to painting and to use my art to bring peace and beauty into my life—and the lives of others.

My Art Business

After spending some time refining my skills and studying with artists that I admire, I launched my art business. Over the years, it has grown and evolved—and likewise, so have I! I can’t tell you how much growth and stimulation my art and my art business have given me. I continue to learn from it every day.

I create a new painting series multiple times a year. I love using this as an opportunity to go deep into a subject, such as flowers or a color scheme. It’s very gratifying when I ship these pieces off to the collectors who’ve purchased them.

I also teach online painting courses, both live and pre-recorded. They both have their benefits: I love interacting with my students in the live courses and feeding off their energy, but I also appreciate how students can benefit from my pre-recorded courses completely on their own and at their own pace. My live online courses range from three-day encounters to six-week intensives, and they’re appropriate for all painters, from beginner to advanced.

In 2020, I created a membership program, The Painterly Way, so I could serve my students on a deeper level.

In this membership, I provide lessons, resources, assignments, guest speakers, and valuable individualized feedback. I love showering my members with information and support! Not only do I teach my members about abstract painting, but I also mentor them on their efforts to create their own art business, if that’s one of their goals.

Expressing My Values with My Art Business

I intentionally use my art business to express my personal values. For example, I’m passionate about nonprofits that support causes I believe in, from alleviating hunger and poverty to wildlife conservation. I donate a portion of all of my original art sales to these wonderful nonprofits, and that adds yet another level of purpose and meaning to my work.

Being of service is another value I hold dear, and this is the guiding philosophy behind my art teaching activities. I feel like one of the highest purposes of my art career is providing helpful information, guidance, mentoring, and support to all artists in my audience. In turn, I myself have been taught and mentored by esteemed artists, and I could never have come this far without their encouragement and support.

The Artists I Serve—Who are They?

The artists I serve are positive people who are willing to take a chance and invest in their own growth. They share my understanding that art is a healthy activity that we all have a right to enjoy. 

Some of the artists I serve are learning to paint for the first time. Others have been enjoying painting for a while but are learning to paint abstract art. Many haven’t painted in awhile and are rediscovering their love of artistry. Still others are longtime abstract art painters who want to improve their skills, receive mentoring, and create a satisfying art business.
Do you see yourself in the artists I just described? If so, I hope you’ll join me for a painting encounter, longform course, or my membership, The Painterly Way. I’d love to be a part of your art journey and help you transform your artistry!