About PAtti
As young girl, I wAs fAscinAted with marks and drew expressive scribbles with my crAyons on my bedroom wAll. This was just the beginning.
Nature's Wonders
As a young girl my mother said to my siblings and me, "Go out and play." In back of our home was a ridge of old weathered boulders that became castles where we rode about on stick horses. The paths through the woods on both sides suggested of an earlier presence, the Indians who once lived there.
Winter brought heavy snows so we could carve out caves and tunnels. In summer, we collected tiny creatures in shoe boxes and attempted to make perfume with water and blossoms.
All of these experiences involving curiosity and imagination contributed to my call to the arts. For this childhood, I am truly grateful.
Early Art Education
While majoring in art at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, I was guided into art education. Classes in drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, weaving, clay, metals, art history, literature and dance provided a diversity of experiences. When instructors said, “Paint Big!”, I followed with large canvases of expressive strokes, nature, color and light were my source of inspiration.
After my first year of teaching art in a Junior High in Racine, WI, I added another six credits, traveling through Europe visiting museums, architecture and painting watercolors.
The following summer, I had an exhibit of my watercolors of Europe at the Washington Island Center for Creative Arts.
I continued with my watercolor painting and teaching in Geneva, IL and exhibited my work at art fairs and in the gallery, Clay and Caboodle.
Art as Therapy
I turned my direction of art and healing to help others and in 1988, I received a Master’s Degree from the Art Institute of Chicago, studies in theory at the Art Institute and Psychology classes at Rush University Medical Center. I did my intern work at Rush Press Hospital and Michael Reese Hospital in Child Life Program. There were perks that went along with being apart of these dynamic environments. For example, there was a world wide conference called, “Art and the Brain” which brought together many presentations of case studies and exhibits related to all aspects of art and the brain.
Walking through the galleries of the Masters at the Art Institute to get to the school was inspiring. I vividly remember an avenue of Gaugins. Famous artists came for lectures including, Helen Frankenthaler, abstract artist and Louise Nevelson, the sculptor.
I continued my study in oil painting during my time at the Art Institute and participated in a juried show in a downtown gallery. To see my painting in the gallery in a foremost position lit up by lights was a highlight.
Moving & Relocating
Moving and relocation has been a part of my art journey. Miami has been one of my homes for many years and I enjoyed the colorful and stimulating culture.
I became interested in early childhood art, as my children were my inspiration at this time. I was asked to develop a program for preschoolers for the Metropolitan Museum and Art Center in South Miami.
I later returned to Miami to take a job with the Miami Dade school district as an art therapist. I worked in a special program with children with disabilities.
I was able to take another adventurous art study trip through Florida International University through China.
Large to Small
In Denver, Colorado, I transitioned from large-scale projects to smaller ones by attending classes in botanical illustration. These courses emphasized color theory, composition, and the precise presentation of botanical specimens. I found it both challenging and meditative to invest long hours into capturing intricate details.
Returning Home
Returning back to Washington Island, the place where I spent my childhood, there was a special interest in the Island history.
I began to write down stories that I had heard from my grandparents of my great grandparents who came from Scandinavia. The stories are included in my book, Harbor Tales: Washington Island through the 1800’s, which includes a series of short stories and illustrations.
I also completed a series of paintings, called Early Times, which are in a private collection.
I continue to look for ways to explore and find meaning through art. Through classes, making art and writing.
