Patricia Young- Artists in Action Gallery

Artist Biography:

Born in Portland, Oregon, Patricia painted her first oil painting around the age of eight years old, inspired by her mother who often painted with oils. She excelled in art throughout grade school and high school and then studied Fine Art at the University of Oregon. She continued to study Art Education at Western Oregon University, earning a bachelors degree and teaching certification. Her additional studies at University of Alaska/Fairbanks included advanced printmaking, and she also took courses in photography and serigraphy at Chemeketa Community College.

Patricia has received many awards for her paintings over the years and stays actively involved in painting and showing her work.

Patricia shows her work at:

River Gallery, Independence, OR
Elsinore Gallery

She has shown in solo and group shows at:

Lunaria Gallery, Silverton, OR
Roy John Designer Goldsmith Studio Gallery
Bush Barn Art Gallery
Westminster Fine Art Festival
Englewood Forest Festival
Keizer River Walk Art Fair
All Oregon Art Exhibit (Oregon State Fair)
The Benton County Historical Society, Philomath OR

Artist Statement:

I am mainly a representational painter, painting mostly landscapes. I love painting outdoors – en plein air. Peaceful vistas, garden paths, and places where people spend time to relax and enjoy nature are scenes that inspire me to paint. My love of French Impressionism has always influenced the way I approach my paintings. Color and light are the elements I strive to capture.

Recently, I have been experimenting with new approaches to my paintings, using different surfaces and tools. I’ve been especially interested in using palette knives for painting which gives me the freedom to omit the fine details, and instead focus on the overall composition and colors of the landscape. This technique allows me to emulate the scenery more conceptually or impressionistically.

I enjoy each painting medium for its unique qualities: the rich pigments and textural nature of oil paints, and the soft, transparent array of hues provided by watercolors. With acrylics I appreciate that they are both textural and transparent, and I have been focusing on using acrylics for many years now.

When I’m painting outdoors, I love the connected feeling I have with the surrounding colors and atmosphere of the landscape. When I’m painting from my sketches or photo references, it takes me back to that place and time, as though I’m reliving the experience of being there, as I paint the scene. My hope is that others will find the same feeling of awe and wonder in the scenes that first inspired me to paint.

Visit my website at: www.patriciayoung-artist.com