72 ATIM’S TOP 60 MASTERS 2023
JIM FITZPATRICK jim-fitzpatrick.pixels.com
“I
survived several life changing ordeals, one in which I ended up in the wrong place at the wrong time with a guy onto top of me, pinning me down with a crowbar to my throat.
Fortunately, an old judo move kicked in and I was able to get safely away. The things he said, while I struggled to breath, made it clear he hated me because of the color of my skin. What he did was horrible, but it didn’t mean his entire race was. Portraying all of one race or group by the actions of one bad individual kills open dialog and divides people.
“Portrait of a Fire Fighter” Photography Digitally Altered
“High Chief and Legendary Pro Wrestler Peter Maivia” pastels and charcoal digitally combined with photography
“Freckle Faced Beauty” Charcoal
Fortunately, in an age of volatile headlines, hateful tweets, and negative soundbites an artist has a huge advantage. ‘A picture paints a thousand words’… and I want my thousand words to convey a world of hope, joy, and love! “Due to injuries I’ve sustained during my skating and firefighting careers I’ve been coping with chronic pain and mobility issues for years. I hope, through my works and achievements, to inspire others faced with chronic pain or other obstacles in their lives to fight on or in some cases move on. We need to be aware when one door in life closes there may be another door ready to open. The door to the world of creating art and photography has for me!”
