The Artist

Posted May 21st, 2008 by Jen in features

My kids were picking up old tin cans on the other side of her field. I watched with some admiration how the owner of the field, a strong, determined looking woman, was quickly moving pipes to irrigate the field for her cattle. I had seen her before on a tractor pulling a plow, and before that digging trenches. An Oregon farm woman, not an unusual sight around here. What I didn’t know was that she was just as accomplished with a paintbrush and oils as she was in handling the workings of an 80 acre ranch.

This was Pixie Gullickson, and she’s just as cute and sprightly as her name sounds. I think she’s such a fine artist at least in part because of her full engagement in life and her many interests. She must have a third lens through which she views the world, picking up on the intricacies of nature and the handiwork of the Creator, and before this ever hits the canvas, it comes forth from her heart, gathering expression and spirit as it goes.

I love how Pixie painted this Indian woman in a canoe, which painting hangs regally above her bed, as if on watch through the night. It’s an enormous painting with bold and confident color, and I didn’t even fit it all in here. Her father was half Choctaw, and Pixie’s Native American heritage is evident in much of her work. Scattered throughout her home are many Indian artifacts, arrowhead displays, beads, feathers, leather work. These two paintings I found in her studio, one of a warrior and one of her father:

Pixie’s artistry can be found throughout the Central Oregon community, from window paintings to large murals like the ones she painted on Redmond High School and inside the Tower Theater in Bend, and even on a miniscule canvas the size of say, a fingernail…actually, literally a fingernail, as Pixie did amazing nail art for years in a salon she owned in Redmond. And perchance, her artwork will be on my son’s bedroom walls, as he is dreaming of dinosaurs roaming his room. Pixie is available for commissioned work, and hopes to have a website up soon - leave me a comment here if you’d like to get in touch with her.

I was able to get Pixie to sit still long enough to answer a few questions for you (a difficult task, I can assure you, as this woman never seems to stop), and I’m sure you’ll enjoy this interview.

Jen: What are your earliest memories of art? Was this a childhood interest? Was it a hobby, an artistic outlet, a therapeutic thing?

Pixie: I have loved art and remember it from the very earliest age. I remember sitting alone for hours drawing picture after picture, it was so very satisfying to me. It was not a hobby for me, more a constant desire. It was fun and addicting to me because I knew I was good at it. Whatever it was.

Jen: Are you self-taught, or have you had any art training?

Pixie: I am self-taught. I have always been able to sell my work, and have never been out of work or money because of it. I have thought of an education in art, but was always too busy to pursue it.

Jen: What advice would you give to other budding artists regarding how to further their skills?

Pixie: Try everything! NEVER STOP!! You are bringing alive a beautiful relationship with trust, humility, and expression with your heart. If something isn’t quite the way you want it, put it away for a while, and when you find it later, you can tell another story about it. And start window painting, it’s good money and you will be learning as you go.

Jen: I know you work in several mediums, but what is your favorite artistic expression?

Pixie: Oils of course, although I use a lot of Acrylic, because it dries faster and cleaner.

Jen: You are very giving and generous; however, you have earned money from your art. How did you begin to establish art as a career, and what advice would you give to a starving artist trying to make his/her way?

Pixie: Find what your niche is. What I mean by that is find the thing that people love, and that you love to create, and find a way of marketing yourself. Be your own sales person. Nobody will know you do art if you don’t tell them, or show them. Believe in yourself, don’t try to sell something you wouldn’t buy. Get opinions. Never give up!

Jen: Art can be a powerful tool for ministry. Can you share a testimony about some way that your art has been used to touch someone’s place of need with the love of God?

Pixie: Many times. GOD is the original creator. So, to be inspired in the way of creating, I am walking in the image of my heavenly father. I don’t think I know one person who doesn’t admire, or wonder, or have thoughts about art work. It’s a mystery like music, because it is so full of God.

It’s a way of telling a story if you knew no language. But, back to your question, I have painted many things for people, and have had incredible opportunities to brighten many days with nail art. I had a salon and was very well known throughout our area for my nail art. It was so GOD inspired. When God is in it, it works. That is the most important thing about my art, it is a gift from GOD, and if you use it, He will continue to bless it.

Thank you, Pixie!

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