Meet Pamela Scharback | Artist and entrepreneur

We had the good fortune of connecting with Pamela Scharback and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Pamela, what role has risk played in your life or career?
“I’ve always lived by the idea that ‘big risk brings big reward.’ My life and career haven’t followed a straight path—instead, I’ve embraced a non-linear journey, intentionally stepping into uncertainty to see where it might lead. I’ve studied the arts, explored fields as diverse as veterinary medicine, bartending, sales, home building, and the motorcycle world —dipping my toes into each to discover what truly sparked my interest. I wasn’t afraid to start over or pivot when something didn’t align with my values or passions.

In 2003, I moved across the country to Vancouver, British Columbia. I spent 16 years there, living what I sometimes describe as a life in reverse—. I hiked the Pacific Northwest, immersed myself in Eastern philosophy, read thinkers like Eckhart Tolle, and explored through travel, creativity, and solitude. I turned down more lucrative, conventional paths in favour of authenticity and depth. I met the most interesting people who I hold dear to this day and still travel with and speak to almost daily.

Changing things that hadn’t worked in the past- that path has brought me to a life where I run several arts-based businesses and work full-time as an artist. I’ve built a studio, a circle of friends and a way of life that reflects my values. I’ve poured that same intention into parenting—raising two children with a commitment to give them access to a complex, interesting, and rich life. Yes, it’s a grind—but it’s also a triumph. The risks I took gave me access to friendship, fulfilling work, and joy. It may not always look like traditional success, but I feel deeply engaged and aligned with my purpose.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
As a creator of multiple things, I think my art is about my dreams, maybe about how I wish the world was.

Art critic Jerry Saltz says, ” art is showing the outer world what your inner world is like” sic, but I think that is all we can hope to do besides seeing personal growth and progress.

As a person with undiagnosed ADHD, I have a big imagination and a ton of energy and art has been, so far, the best means I have found for expressing some of the things that I think about. I wish I connected in greater ways to how to express the things that mean the most to me but up until now, I think I was practicing. I only just decided a few years ago that I was going to get really serious about this. Mostly because I had to find a way to feed my kids after divorce. But because of that leap of faith, I have never made more money than I do now. I feel as though I have only just begun. Which is exciting. Whatever kind of machine I am. I feel like before I was putting in apple sauce to power everything and now im putting in jetfuel.

I overcame the challenges of stepping into being a full time artist by letting go of anything else that wasn’t that. I had to give up a bunch of things I thought I also wanted but kept me stuck. I wish I had 100 lives. But because I only have potentially less than that, I am trying to squeeze in every life experience I can into this life and if it means letting go of the past life, so be it. I paint upwards of 12 hours a day and really only when im not with my kids,. My 2 loves are raising my kids and being present for every show and game and field trip, and working so hard.

In the world of following your dreams, probably no part of it is easily won if it is worthwhile. But the polarity of that is doubled: it doesn’t feel like hard work when you are pouring your heart into everyday. I can’t wait to wake up in the morning and that hasn’t always been true for me. I used to live a fairly blessed and really unhappy life. I guess I was out of alignment in one of the most beautiful places on earth.

Because I do a lot of different things besides painting, I also have an alter project that ended up becoming a retail shop called ” the chaotic good” and it is a way that I can outlet my thoughts about the magic and devotion that exists and I feel compelled to honour and am endlessly curious about in this life. It all feels like it’s leading somewhere. And as it slowly unfolds, it pays the bills and feels very on purpose.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
In London, I would probably take them on a tour of all of the murals I have worked on in the city in the past few years.
They are in and outside of many local businesses. I would start at my studio and shop at 538 Adelaide street North. This building has a food coop and so many interesting businesses.

Every week at some point I end up at Beer Kitchen, located in the 100 Kellogg entertainment complex. The Nashville spicy chicken sandwich ( vegan or chicken version ) is so amazing. Try the hops water at powerhouse!
I have painted some mural work at Kellogg and in the area.

They also have an incredible annual artcomp with serious financial prizes. Like 100,000 for first prize. They give a lot of work to local artists. It’s pretty impressive.

The Vietnam restaurant has the greatest ever ever EVER spring rolls in any city I have ever been to. I love them. It is a must to go there.
Also Renee;s sandwich shop has a line up out the door.
Im down at the Covent Garden Market downtown London weekly because my son does Original Kids Theatre. So I would bring them to the market to show them around. It is a sweet little spot with a lot of local vendors. Its nice to sit and have lunch in the sun and read.

The Western Fair Market is open on weekends and is so busy and lovely to grab groceries and have a coffee.

For dinner, I really like going to Wortley Village in the heart of the city to Rebel Layne.

Dimi’s for greek food is excellent.

Stormstayed brewing has amazing beer for any visiting beer lover.

Back to the Fuschia and the Sentamentalist a shop across from Anderson Ales is so fun to explore.
I usually go to Purdy Natural at 111 Mount Pleasant to buy soap or a gift for anyone.

There is such a beautiful shop on Dundas street at Talbot called Seven Sisters I have a mural there so I stop in a lot for that reason or to grab a book or herbs.

Its worth the drive to the ELORA Gorge for a hike. I also like Rock Glen.
There is a one of a kind antique mall in Woodstock which takes at least half a day to get through but jammed full of all of the fiesta ware.
Gibbons park is very close as well. We play there a lot as well as at Springbank park.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
First, I want to give some gratitude to the people who really loved me as a child. My grandmother Mimi and My Wendy. Because of their love and care, I am so blessed with bravery and confidence.

I would love to shoutout Rachel Long. Her creative drive and incredible skills have elevated the visuals I can share of what I do each day. As a photographer, her work is so inspiring to me and I love how our support of one another can lead to new and interesting opportunities. So grateful that we work so harmoniously together.

I also want to give gratitude to the owner of Purdy Natural, Rokhsana Purdy.
Purdy Natural is a grassroots skincare company in London, Ontario. I am endlessly inspired by their generosity to connect local businesses in the community to one another and for throwing me so much work and connections to help me get started on this path. Eternal love.

Website: https://www.scharbach.ca

Instagram: @p.scharbachhandpainted

Soundcloud: pamelascharback ( it’s 9 years old guitar playing )

Facebook: The Chaotic Good

Youtube: @the.chaoticgood

Other: Faire : The Chaotic Good ( previously the great cosmic trust )

Image Credits
Saroscreative