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Art & Life with Patrick Saunders

Today we’d like to introduce you to Patrick Saunders.

Patrick, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
I began my career as an illustrator at Hallmark Cards in Kansas City, MO. It was a wonderful learning experience, but when you create art specifically as product, it never satisfies the desire for personal expression. After a decade, I left Hallmark and began teaching illustration, painting, animation and web design at the Kansas City Art Institute. My web design background led me to an executive position in the advertising industry. We found ourselves relocated to New York and then San Francisco, where I led marketing efforts for a number of Fortune 500 companies. Once again I found myself in a completely impersonal business—at least for me. I was creating a product to satisfy someone else. After eight years in advertising, I was through. I told my photographer wife, Kimberly that all I wanted to do was paint, and she was immediately supportive. In 2015, we sold our home and everything we owned, purchased an Airstream travel trailer and set out on our artistic journey. In the past five years, we have traveled through 40 States, coast to coast, border to border; painting and photographing everything that inspires us along the way.

Can you give our readers some background on your art?
I paint everything that inspires me – landscapes, portraits, figures, flowers. After decades of working commercially, my painting reflects my desire to appreciate all of the beauty around me that I often overlooked in my rush to meet deadlines. I believe that art is the act of creation. The result, whether it is a painting, sculpture, photograph etc., is simply a record of the creation experience. My approach is to free myself from preconceived visual beliefs and interpret the world directly before me. In so doing, I rediscover the colors, textures and values of everyday life that we otherwise take for granted.

Artists rarely, if ever pursue art for the money. Nonetheless, we all have bills and responsibilities and many aspiring artists are discouraged from pursuing art due to financial reasons. Any advice or thoughts you’d like to share with prospective artists?
It’s important to plan ahead. While I left the corporate world behind, I planned my finances carefully, knowing that there would be ups and downs along the way. If you’re creating art with the specific purpose of selling and supporting yourself, this can have a negative impact on the work. Paint for yourself.

What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
In 2013, I turned my attention to plein air painting and now travel to numerous nationally recognized competitions including Plein Air Easton, Plein Air Texas, and Laguna Plein Air. You can find me capturing the landscape during these events, and I’m always happy to chat with anyone who shares my appreciation for the painting. I don’t currently participate in any galleries, but share my work at painting events and through my website. I also focus on teaching painting workshops across the country. I’ll often receive requests from groups of artists wishing to learn from me, and I’ll schedule a class in their area as I travel.

Contact Info:

Image Credit:
All photos by Saunders Fine Arts.

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