- Tanu Gwaii Haanas Park
Here’s a little bit about her:
Patty was born in 1973 in London, Ontario. She received a BA, in Art and Design, and Psychology from the University of Alberta in 1996. Patty maintains art studios in Vancouver BC, DeCourcy Island in the Gulf Islands off the west coast of BC, and Shuswap Lake, BC where she draws much of her inspiration for her work from. Patty’s paintings are bold muscular works with luscious colour, painterly application of paint, and strong sense of form, light and feeling of mood.
“Watching the trees, lake, sky and mountains everyday, noticing subtle nuances of colour, play of light and the essence of the landscape has inspired my painting and this series. In this body of work the painting was done “en plein air” which adds a freshness and quality of light and energy to my work.”
Patty is represented by the Ian Tan Gallery Vancouver, BC, the Scott Gallery – Edmonton, AB, the Canvas Gallery – Toronto, the Vancouver Art Gallery: Art Rental Sales Gallery, and the Alberta Art Gallery: Art Rental and Sales Gallery – Edmonton, AB.
And here’s how she answered my 6 questions about creativity:
What inspires your creativity?
What inspires my creativity is my response to the environment that surrounds me. Seeing the natural and sometimes man made beauty in the world. As part of my process in painting when I look at the landscape / subject in front of me I try to see and feel how it feels, for example: to be that majestic tree blowing in the wind or the gushing waterfall cascading down, and take that feeling in through me and out on to the canvas via my brush and paint.
- out in her studio…
What does it mean to you to be creative?
To me being creative is a process of making and doing things in response to my environment, physical, emotional and mental, and in so doing it keeps me balanced.
What keeps you moving forward in making things happen?
I love to paint. I love the medium and colour and the way the paint can sparkle as I pull my brush across the canvas, and the feeling I get when painting, like nothing else matters. Painting brings me joy. This drives me to work at showing my paintings so that I am fortunate to paint full time.
- Whimsical
Also, I love to share what I create with others and when, from time to time, I see someone’s eyes light up when viewing my work, and they really ‘get’ the feel and mood of what I have painted…that keeps me moving forward.
What is the wildest journey your creativity has taken you on?
The wildest journey… there have been a few wild moments, like when I was painting in the fall on the beach at Shuswap lake and a big black bear came out of the bushes about a 100 feet from where I was standing. I just dropped my brushes and walked quickly to the bushes straight ahead and made a beeline straight up the hill side, and it is a bit steep, to the house (about 200 meters). My heart was pounding!
But on another level, I think that the wildest journey that painting has taken me on has been one of self discovery and acceptance of self and being present in the here an now.
What’s the boldest, most provocative statement you are willing to make about yourself, your business or the industry that you are in?
Being in the art business is wonderful, but you have to be tough and truly believe in yourself and your work. You need a ‘thick skin’ to be able to take the praise, the constructive criticism and sometimes not so constructive criticism, while remaining true to your artistic vision.
What’s next for you?
What is next… I see more painting! Perhaps do a series on the theme of water and new life.
Check out more of Patty’s work on her website… http://www.pattyampleford.com/
And here’s a couple of things that inspire Patty’s creativity:
- The Raven
“Constant and determined effort breaks down all resistance and sweeps away all obstacles.” - Unknown Quote
Thank you Patty and watch out for those bears.
