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About the Artist The first introduction to my creative side took place when I was in the 7th grade attending school in a small farming community in the Midwest where the world of art was not a topic of discussion around the supper table. People were too busy making a living for such ‘citified’ activities! However, a pen and ink drawing a little girl had tossed into the wastebasket was entered into the Scholastic Art Competition for two consecutive years by the kindergarten teacher who also, fortunately, held an art degree. They were winners and represented the state at the Carnegie Institute national competition. A little mark in the history of the community where I was born that remains today. |
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| After high school, college was not an option financially but a door had been opened and I continued to develop this artistic passion throughout my life, though sporadically. During our residence in Portland, I studied oil painting and participated in several shows that brought a few commission requests. However the most unique ‘judge’ an artist could have for their art work was a robber! He chose my best ocean scene from several that were also hanging and took the cash box with it! |  |
| While being a wife and mother took priority for several years, including moving from one side of the country to the other, a ‘paycheck’ job ultimately became necessary to support college educations. However, in my late 30s I was able to mesh my other responsibilities and began my quest for higher education. I aimed for a degree in psychology and was proud of the 4.0 I carried until we were transferred again. Once that move was completed with the kids settled in school and the door opened to re-enroll, we were transferred again! I gave in to the other powers that guide my life and let that pursuit go. |
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Once the nest was outgrown and my husband had retired, we relocated from Atlanta to Birch Bay. That was when life gave me the chance to follow my dream just because I wanted to. I didn’t need to have an income, the college educations were over and I was free to take workshops from many of the best instructors in the country. Once again I was excited every day and woke up hardly able to get coffee over before running to the studio. I would even dream about my work. Painting, whether with papers or paint or some other media, is something it seems I have to do and I anticipate the surprises it provides nearly every day. |
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I suppose one could say I’m ‘self-taught’ but there’s been a lot of help and encouragement along the way. I feel humbled when someone buys my art and the awards and recognition I’ve received are as meaningful to me as an Oscar or Nobel prize. In my mind, I have surpassed many goals I ever thought about and I’m now beginning to share what I’ve learned with others. While I’ve only had the past ten years to really focus on something I’ve loved and pursued my entire life, I know that all those experiences before have added another puzzle piece to the whole - without the others, the one wouldn’t be complete. I would tell everyone, it’s never to late to follow your dream for dreams are often what keep us trekking down this road of life over its mountains and through the deep valleys - and that I know from experience! |
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© 2007 Patricia Palmer. All Rights Reserved. Works shown on this site may not be reproduced without permission of artist.
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