Hi, I’m Pam! Welcome to 'A Barefoot Artist!'
A Barefoot Artist began as a way to share my love of travel and the coast through the visual lens of a creative business owner. If you’re like me, you want to live intentionally and focus on how you want to FEEL in your surroundings. I want to spend my life experiencing new and interesting things and seeing new places with people I love.
As an artist, my creativity and inspiration depend on staying inspired by LIVING. Here, you’ll find resources on places that I find beautiful or interesting: beaches, travel, food, books, and art, of course. For exclusive details on our products and prints, be sure to subscribe to our newsletter.
1. First things first! Get relaxed and enjoy the coast!
BEACHES: Check out quick reviews of my favorite beach accesses.
Why do I like the beach? First of all, it’s beautiful; the water relaxes me; I love my toes in the sand and the sunshine on my face. The water heals my soul, calms my body, and clears my head. Time there is often spent with family and friends, providing an escape from my day-to-day duties and responsibilities.
I know many people who have moved near the beach, and when ‘the new wears off,’ they never go there. I don’t want to do that! I try to ensure that I go to the beach at least once a week and am always happy afterward. I have visited the beach regularly for years, but until now, I have never lived just a few minutes away. I am focusing on learning about the surrounding beaches near my home as well as Amelia Island, which is like a second home because I have been going with my family for years.
I’ve always enjoyed being outside because it reminds me of my childhood, of our beautiful world, and it feels like that’s the way God intended us to live.
2. Next! Live your best life! Where do you want to go?
HOW TO SPEND A DAY: Unique ways to spend a day in my favorite coastal cities.
How do you want to spend your time? I want to spend time learning, exploring places that interest me, and sharing them with others.
I’m always up to going somewhere I've never been, and this is a way for me to discover something and share it here at 'A Barefoot Artist.' It could be a new place or one that has been around for a while, but I'm just learning about it.
My curiosity makes me want to see something new every day.
3. Discover the most interesting places along the way!
SIP, DINE, STAY: Our stories of where to stay, eat, and drink in our favorite coastal towns.
Looking for travel tips in your favorite beach towns? Do you love spending time outside at a beach or rooftop bar? I love to try new restaurants, enjoy a well-made cocktail, and kind of have a thing for hotel lobbies. They don’t have to be fancy (although that’s nice, too), but they do have to be interesting.
SIP: Love to find interesting or beautiful places to enjoy a cocktail?
I could drink a club soda or water, as long as it is in a pretty glass with a twist. I use our old-fashioned crystal glasses almost daily, and I love a good cocktail in a pretty glass. But I’m not so fancy that I don’t enjoy a nice cold Miller light in an interesting bar with great live music. I like places with dripping chandeliers or license plates on the wall. It’s all about the setting.
DINE: Do you often plan your vacations around food? You are in the right place.
My mom was a foodie. Most of our travel involved fabulous restaurants owned by a celebrity chef or with great reviews. We took several trips to New York City when I was in the stationery business. The first time we went, we split the checks, and at first, both of our husbands thought that we were paying for the other because our meals were so expensive. They didn’t quite get it, but they got us, so it all worked out.
I like the experience of a nice meal in a beautifully designed restaurant. In addition to the food, which I’m kind of particular about, it’s about the experience, the ambiance, and how it makes me feel. I also enjoy the visuals, whether a beautifully plated meal or a pretty restaurant. It’s not just the food but the environment that inspires us, right?
STAY: A special hotel can make you feel comfortable, luxurious, or just plain cozy.
Why do I like writing about hotels, and why do I love hotel lobbies? Why do I write about the chandeliers instead of the customer service? In my twenties, my husband and I traveled frequently with my mother and father-in-law. My mother-in-law had an excellent eye for design and loved a beautiful hotel lobby. We always stopped at a hotel lobby bar with a pretty chandelier or stunning architecture. She always ordered a kir royale, which I now enjoy in her honor. It felt so fancy to this midwestern girl, and it still does. It makes me feel like I’m on vacation, even in my own city.
4. EXPLORE: It’s ok to be a tourist. In fact, I’d highly recommend it!
EXPLORE: Be a tourist with me and explore somewhere new.
I love seeing new places and learning something new. There are so many places to see in the world. How will we see them all? Get busy, that’s how. Start with somewhere close to home and then expand your wings!
5. Get Inspired!
CREATIVE INSPIRATION: Love anything coastal or travel-related? Here are the stories and inspiration behind the art and our coastal products.
In this fast-paced world, time spent on creativity is never wasted. The creative process is just that. A process. It doesn’t happen when you flip a switch but develops through time spent sketching, writing, thinking, experimenting, and seeing the world. Part of my process is to get to the ‘why.’ It gets you deeper into the creative process and helps you understand the meaning behind the art. I like connecting with other people through my art and our products, often reminding them of a special place. It allows me to share my process and my journey.
6. What’s My Point of View?
Why do I write? I like the variety of exploring and experiencing new things. I also enjoy the process of documenting them and sharing what I’ve learned with others. I’ve always kept sketchbooks and journals, sometimes one in every room. A Barefoot Artist is a way for me to organize my thoughts and get my point of view all in one place.
I’m not a travel blogger. I’m an artist who likes doing interesting things and writing about them. Want to follow along? Subscribe to my newsletter or follow me on Instagram at @barefootlivingco.
Read More:
Sullivan's Island Beach Accesses
Bar Taco Charleston
How to Spend A Day in Downtown Fernandina Beach in the Fall
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