Meet Meredith Pardue | Artist

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

Hi Meredith, as a parent, what have you done for you children that you feel has had the most significant impact?
As a parent, I believe the most important thing I’ve done is lead by example—showing my children what it looks like to build a meaningful life through creativity, resilience, and integrity. They’ve seen me work through challenges, stay committed to my passion, and remain grounded in what truly matters. I want them to know that it’s not about perfection—it’s about showing up with purpose and heart. I hope that witnessing that gives them the confidence to follow their own paths, whatever they may be.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My work is rooted in abstraction, but it’s always grounded in the natural world—particularly the botanical and geological forms of the American South. I’m especially drawn to the rhythms and tensions of nature: growth and decay, chaos and order, fluidity and stillness. Over time, my visual language has become a kind of mapping—of place, memory, and emotion. Each painting is a layered exploration of where I’ve been and what I’ve carried with me.

What sets my work apart, I think, is the intersection of structure and spontaneity. I use a process that blends intuitive mark-making with controlled composition. It’s equal parts precision and surrender. That tension has become the signature of my practice.

I’m most proud of the longevity and authenticity of my career. I’ve been painting professionally for over two decades, and I’ve stayed committed to growing the work while allowing it to evolve.

Getting here hasn’t been easy. There’s no linear path in this field, and sustaining a creative life requires both grit and grace. I’ve faced the challenges that most artists face: financial uncertainty, self-doubt, rejection. But I’ve also had incredible mentors, family, and collaborators who believed in my work. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is to trust the process, both in the studio and in life. The work always leads somewhere—even if you can’t see it yet.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I loved traveling to Dallas from Austin—not only to visit my parents, but also to deliver work to the gallery. While I was there, I always made time for a few favorite spots: Ascension Coffee for a morning pick-me-up, Kenny’s Italian Kitchen in Addison, and Tootsie’s for some great shopping. And of course, a trip to Dallas isn’t complete until you’ve viewed all of the artwork at Laura Rathe Fine Art!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I owe a huge part of my journey to Pam Baker, my mentor and an early believer in my work. Pam, who had previously taught film and literature at NYU, introduced me to the gallery world through an academic and thoughtful lens. While I was still a student at SCAD, she gave me assigned readings and films—everything from theory to poetry to cinema—and we’d meet to discuss them in depth. Those conversations shaped not only how I thought about art, but how I saw myself as an artist.

Pam began selling my work through Levee Gallery in Monroe, Louisiana, while I was still completing my studies. That early support led to my first solo exhibition in 1998 at Café Metropole, which opened the door to gallery representation in both Sarasota and Savannah. Around that time, SCAD began collecting my work, which was a profound moment of validation as a young artist. Over the past 25 years, SCAD has become my largest collector—a full-circle relationship that continues to mean a great deal to me.

Website: https://www.meredithpardue.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meredithpardue/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/meredithparduestudio

Image Credits
Meredith Pardue Studio
Madison Lily Rugs
Laura Rathe Fine Art