Since retiring from a career as a computer programmer, Patricia has been able to indulge her love of nature and art. She chose pastels as the best medium to portray the serenity of the landscape of her native California. She draws inspiration primarily from various locales along the American River, the hills of Marin and North Lake Tahoe. However, her paintings are more an evocation of an emotional response to the transcendence found through nature than a rendering of a specific place. Although most of her work is done in the studio she enjoys painting out in nature to hone her ability to see the light and the colors. In fact, she feels the greatest benefit she derives from painting is the way it changes how she sees the world when she isn't painting. Everything is more vivid - the beauty of light and shadow in the trees, the subtlety of the color of clouds, the sparkle and reflections in water.
Patricia works in soft pastels on sanded paper or board. She begins by blocking in the basic shapes and value pattern of her composition. She sets that first layer of pastel with alcohol and then the dance begins. She uses the scene in front of her or her reference photo to try to create an atmosphere of harmony and serenity. Her goal is to invite the viewer to enter into a little moment with nature.
