ST3528 - dec. 13_Layout 1 12/13/13 9:29 aM Page 18
CULTURE
18 SIGNAL TRIBUNE
Imitating Life
DECEMBER 13, 2013
Posing questions to local artist Patrick Williams
cory Bilicko Managing Editor
In 100 words or less, how would you describe what you do as an artist? I pursue creating works that I per-
sonally, as a believer in art, want to see and experience. I toil to create exciting, engaging and entertaining experiences and environments. In mixed materials; environmentally friendly, reused
Happy Holidays! 2201 East Willow Suite St., G in
and recycled ingredients; and sometimes just plain old paint, I labor for that moment with my audience where the spark of what they know meets the fuel of something they haven’t considered yet.
Why do you make art? I realized early on that mathematics was not a field of study that would be welcoming me with open arms.
How has your art changed over time? My work has definitively and proSignalgressively become more and more awesome.
Tues.-Thurs.: 5pm to 9pm ¥ Friday: 5pm to 9:30pm ¥ Sat.:?Noon to 9:30pm
What are you currently working on? I [built] a massive installation/performance/sculpture piece for the
Patrick Williams
Arts Council of Long Beach’s ALOT project. My piece [debuted] in the evening on the 12th of October, in the lot on the corner of Anaheim and Walnut. It [was] a fun and completely different kind of public sculpture. I’m also working on a series of paintings that I’ve been calling
Can you describe a time when you first realized that being an artist was something you absolutely had to do? I must have been in high school. I started to realize that making things was a large part of who I am. I think it always had been, but at that point I started to become a bit more introspective and aware of art’s role in my life.
“Vacation,” watercolor on paper
BREAKFAST • LUNCH • DINNER • CATERING
December 12 - 22 www.lbplayhouse.org 562-494-1014 * 5021 E. Anaheim St. 5021 E. ANAHEIM, LB 562-494-1014 - WWW.LBPLAYHOUSE.ORG
Bookkeeping & Tax Services
Certified QuickBooks Pro Advisors/Training Business & Personal Bookkeeping
Cambodian & Spanish Speaking CTEC Registered Tax Preparers
1640 E. Burnett Street Phone: 562-264-5114 www.MadKatInc.com
Breakfast $5.25 Specials
Served Monday through Friday, 7am-11am
#1- 2 Eggs - Cooked any style (2 strips of bacon or sausage links & home fries. Served with toast) #2- 2 Buttermilk Pancakes (2 eggs, cooked any style & 2 strips of bacon or sausage links) #3- French Combo (2 slices of French toast, 2 eggs cooked any style and 2 strips of bacon or sausage links) #4- Biscuits & Gravy (2 eggs & home fries) #5- Chorizo Scramble (2 eggs with beans & tortilla) #6- 2 Eggs (Toast & fruit) #7- Breakfast Bowl (2 eggs, 2 sausage, home fries & country gravy) No substitutions or to-go orders
What’s the best thing about being an artist? I do what I love.
Have you ever been banned or censored to any degree as an artist? If so, how did you react? If not, how do you think you would react in that situation? I don't think I’ve ever really been banned or censored, but then I’m not really interested in making those kinds of statements or asking those kinds of questions with my work.
Mainstage
Thursday, Friday & Saturday at 8pm, Sunday at 2pm
Does art-making ever frustrate you? If so, how do you deal with that frustration? Making art is usually the answer to other frustrations.
What are one or two primary areas of fear for you as an artist? I assume I will die early, slowly and horribly as a result of some solvent, pigment or other toxic artist’s materials. Other than that, what’s to fear? It’s art, not really a life-ordeath pursuit– might as take some well chances.
“P-51,” watercolor on paper
The classic tale of Ebenezer Scrooge, the miser who finds the real meaning of Christmas in his heart, after visits by three spirits.
Midlife Crisis that I’m totally in love with right now.
3900 Atlantic Ave., Long Beach (Bixby Knolls) 562-427-2233 • Open 7 Days • 6am-10pm
What kind of creative rituals do you have? I think the only one I really have is cleaning my studio in between larger projects, series and the like. It’s mostly about resetting my space so I can think a bit clearer– more of a habit than a ritual. Which creative medium would you love to pursue but haven’t yet? Filmmaking.
Do you have a least favorite color? It's not that I I don’t really like them, but I find violets and purples difficult to see and thus work with. I tend not to use them much in my work. MORE INFORMATION pwilliamsart.com