Pat Walker is representational painter of portraits, still-life & landscapes. Her masterful manipulation of light and dark, evocative of Rembrandt’s use of chiaroscuro, is the defining component of her style. By means of it she aims “to create mystery and emotion.” These two elements are the real subjects of her work. Her classic representations of fruit, jug, table & cloth are windows opening to domestic worlds. The views evoke tales of life in imagined homes and times. Her representation of the human face is a view to the inner world of the subject’s personality; the unarticulated life-quest, heroic, tragic, wise, at-risk, on the cusp of accepting inevitable challenges and the resigned contentment of latter years. Her faces cannot be forgotten. They linger teasing from the viewer’s mind the story that explains; or searching for a name that has the power to keep safe what the viewer experienced.
"My development as an artist begins at a very young age.  I was introduced to classical examples of oil painting and sculpture through the tutelage of my mother and teachers.  Drawing came naturally to me and I continued to develop this skill throughout my early years."  Following high school graduation, I attended Mississippi Delta Junior College where traditional painting was not taught. I became disillusioned with a traditional college education. After years of studying on my own through books and DVD's and teaching children and adults, I needed more understanding. I took an extended trip to Brewster, New York to study with renowned portrait painter, Daniel Greene.  I started sponsoring painting workshops in Mississippi to be able to continue my own education.  In 1998 I began to paint and study full time. I had the opportunity to attend the Houston Art League in Texas and I took advantage of it. There I studied realistic-representational painting with Cholle, and several other instructors at the League. I returned to my beloved Mississippi in 2000 renting a studio in Bay St. Louis. I continued to strive for more, and was introduced to David Leffel. . Leffel became a mentor. I have also studied with Sherry McGraw, Daniel Gerhartz, Tom Browning, Kim English, Bob Rohm, William Kalwick and a number of other American master painters.

I now paints and teach's in the classical representational tradition of the early Dutch painters. I have been especially influenced by David Leffel who teaches in the chiaroscuro style of Rembrandt and I enjoy teaching classes and workshops.

"Representational painting is an especially rewarding endeavor for me; capturing a moment in time.  Painting is an opportunity to learn what is meaningful at the moment. What can be conveyed that is most beautiful and significant in the set-up for the painting?  Each of my paintings is a visual declaration of the most significant elements down to the less significant ones.  There can be many supporting characters in a painting but only one main character.  Painting the essentials!  I love mystery and emotion conveyed in a painting and believe that leaving something to the imagination is intriguing"

"Whenever possible, I paint from life.  This helps one to understand the uniqueness of each element and the relationships between the subject one is painting.  I feel that the most important element in my work is the light. I strive to capture the light; how it dances across the objects or subjects in the painting, thus making it, the light, the key character in the drama.  Horizontal lines and important masses are all established on the canvas before I begin to chisel the wonderful light and color from the dark.

Each day I continue my growth as a painter by devoting myself to becoming more observant and sensitive. Even the atmosphere that I attempt to convey in the painting continues to be a goal I strive to attain; my love for painting helps me use my emotions to push myself towards work of great substance. I love the feeling, the passion, the excitement and the sheer joy of painting!" I have often looked to the heaven's and declared, "Thank You God for making me an artist ...a painter!" 

About
The contrast of light and its absence, evocative of Rembrandt’s use of chiaroscuro, is the defining component of her style. By means of it, she aims “to create mystery and emotion.” These elements are the real subjects of her work. Her classic representations are windows opening to domestic worlds. The views evoke tales of life in imagined homes and times. Her representation of the human face is a view to the inner world of the subject’s personality; the unarticulated life-quest, heroic, tragic, wise, at-risk, on the cusp of accepting inevitable challenges and the resigned contentment of latter years. Her faces cannot be forgotten. They linger teasing from the viewer’s mind the story that explains; or searching for a name that has the power to keep safe what the viewer experienced.


STATEMENT OF PURPOSE:
“It’s not what you gather, but what you scatter that tells what kind of life you have lived."

EDUCATION:
Daniel Greene, New York, NY -
Art League of Houston, Houston, TX  -
Fetchin Art School, Taos, NM,  -
Fredericksburg School of Art, Fredericksburg, TX, -
Delta Workshops of MS, Rolling Fork, MS, -

AWARDS:
National Professional Awards:
The Richeson75; Still Life & Floral
OPA Eastern Regional (Oil Painters of America)
PBS New Orleans, WYES Blue Ribbon
Trans-American Publications

PERIODICALS:
America Art Collector "Oil Painters of America" Eastern Regional
America Art Collector "Oil Painters of America"  Richland Gallery Show
Art Galleries & Artist of the South
Southwest Art
Delta Magazine
NY ARTS "Tips and Picks" Upcoming Aspiring Artists of America
Life in the Delta
American Artist
American Artist “Highlights”

BOOKS:
Books in which artist or works are featured:
Make a Joyful Noise
The Richeson International Still Life & Floral
The Richeson International Portraits

EXHIBITIONS:
Gallery Exhibitions:
Richland Fine Art , Nashville, TN
Jack Richeson Gallery, Kimberly, WI
Southern Breeze Gallery, Jackson, MS
Blue Diamond Gallery, Greensboro, NC
Friedman’s Fine Art, Savannah, GA
Art of New York, Art Exhibition & Gala, Financial Center Winter Garden, NY, NY
Gabriel Gallery, Santa Fe, NM
Gallery Central, Hot Springs AR
Wenmohs Ranch Gallery, Cypress Mill, TX
Browns Fine Art, Jackson, MS
Caboose Gallery, Long Beach, MS
Gallery House, Alexandria, LA


Workshops:
Stone and Paper - Covington, LA
Turning Leaf- Long Beach, MS
Southern Art & Cultural Center- Vicksburg, MS
Delta Art Association- Greenville, MS
Pat Walker-Workshops - Rolling Fork, MS
Art Classes - Bay St. Louis, MS
Caboose Gallery – Long Beach, MS
St Tammany Art Association – Covington, LA
Gallery House – Alexandria, LA
Mo’s Art Supply – Covington, LA