Michael Patterson, Light & Shadow

MICHAEL PATTERSON

LIGHT & SHADOW

EXHIBITION STATEMENT

Patterson is a prolific creator who has been working in painting and sculpture for decades. He paints what he sees. And while his perspective is primarily representational, his work is imbued with a playful and reverent tone that gives his compositions sophistication and distinction. The artist’s work is inspired by his family’s creative legacy, his education, and by his extensive domestic and international travels. That same inspiration is felt in his carefully considered renderings of people in motion, whether they are passing through a park, shopping at a market, relaxing at the beach, or moving through a bustling downtown. No matter the scenery, the artist pays special attention to painting his subjects -- and the exquisite light they are in -- with careful, whimsical consideration.

However, with greater reflection, viewers can glean that much more than representation is present in Patterson’s portfolio. There is a graceful, geometric influence in Patterson’s work that is apparent in all of his compositions; the artist describes it as follows: I include curved lines with straight, organic shapes juxtaposed against geometric shapes woven together, always conscious of the line created by any color masses converging. This line flows throughout, interrupted, yet continuous.

By merging his appreciation for reality and formal refinement, the culminating impression from Patterson’s work is one of serene appreciation of his surroundings and the world that contains them.

Dappled St. series, Yellow Shirt acrylic on canvas 36" x 48"

Two Brothers acrylic on canvas 36" x 48"

Morning Rain acrylic on canvas 36" x 48"

Rain in Paris at Nation acrylic on canvas 36" x 48"

Dappled St. series, Through the Light acrylic on canvas 30" x 40"

Yellow Pyramid acrylic on canvas 48" x 60"

Walking Through the Park acrylic on canvas 48" x 60"

Market in France, Arcachon acrylic on canvas 36" x 48"

French Market, Purple Dress acrylic on canvas 30" x 40"

Light and Shadow acrylic on canvas 48" x 60"

Flower Market, Paris, Vavin watercolor on paper 11" x 14.75"

NYC Street Market watercolor on paper 11" x 14.75"

Dappled St. series, I'll Go with You acrylic on canvas 36" x 48"

Yellow & Grey acrylic on canvas 48" x 60"

Local Yellow Watermelon watercolor on paper 11" x 14.75"

Afternoon Clouds, Naples watercolor on paper 11" x 14.75"

Rough Sea, Montauk Morning watercolor on paper 11" x 14.75"

Silver Sea, Naples watercolor on paper 11" x 14.75"

Towering Clouds, Montauk watercolor on paper 11" x 14.75"

Walking Solo in the Rain watercolor on paper 11" x 14.75"

Sketch for Painting 2 watercolor on paper 11" x 14.75"

Sketch for Painting 3 watercolor on paper 11" x 14.75"

Sketch for Painting 4 watercolor on paper 11" x 14.75"

Sketch for Painting 1 watercolor on paper 11" x 14.75"

Mom with Little Kid watercolor on paper 11" x 14.75"