BIO
Pat Coates is a DC area native. She studied art at Marymount University and University of Virginia. After several years working in watercolor and acrylic, Pat began painting in oil with Glen Kessler in Bethesda, MD. Pat’s work encompasses all genres of subject matter from landscapes to portraits. Pat conducts Wine & Paint Parties at The Compass Atelier in Artists & Makers Studios, Rockville, MD. She completed the comprehensive three-year Compass Atelier Master Artist Program in early 2017.
ARTIST STATEMENT
How often do we look for all the beauty present in everyday objects; that is, do we see only what we expect to see as we are otherwise focused?
In an age promoting mindfulness and being in the moment, for long as I can remember, I have been aware of my struggle to be still and stay focused on any subject or task at hand. This has affected my life in profound ways but I learned to rely on other skills to navigate my way through education and enjoy a fulfilling work life.
The one place I can be at peace is when I am absorbed by the process of putting the world I see onto canvas. As Picasso said, "Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life."
Our surroundings offer us a daily parade of light and color in ordinary spaces that go unnoticed. My paintings are not the staged still life objects of centuries past but instead are everyday items in public venues that give me joy simply by the energy and rhythm of the composition. In capturing and exploring the texture, patterns and colors, I wish to elevate ordinary items beyond their commonplace status.
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