My story
After almost 20 years as a mediator I began living in Europe and other areas abroad, including a stint in Panama with the United States Peace Corps. In Paris we once lived in the 3rd just ten minutes by bicycle from the Louvre. I went several times a week. Rome is like living in a museum of antiquities. Living in places like this compelled me to return to art, which I had dabbled in thirty years earlier.
Reinitiating that life, I took classes and studied on my own. My time at the Corcoran in my early 20’s helped. More recently I have studied with Justin Bua, Annette Raff, Steve Huston, Glenn Vilppu, and Darrel Tank . Also with Teresa de la Lobera, a Spanish artist from Valencia, and a group of Spanish water-color artists.
Influences
I have long appreciated the works of Goya, Velásquez and El Greco, beginning from the time I spent in Madrid in the late 1960’s. Later I was drawn to Picasso, Matisse, Dali, Gauguin, and Degas, whose dancers are among my favorite works. Other artists I especially enjoy: Edward Hopper, Matisse, Jean and Raul Dufy and Gustave Caillebotte. Among modern Spanish artists I particularly like Jose Royo and the Valencian Joaquin Sorolla.
Themes
Amor: In Love With Love (Click on Art/Amor)
I am currently working on a series exploring love between couples. It will explore love and the diversity of its expressions. So far there are 3 paintings. Couple: In Love With Love I (acrylics on wood) and II (acrylics on paper) and Couple Dances. These are inspired by films I have seen.
Music (Click on Art/Music)
Among my works is a series of music-related paintings and drawings. I go to concerts at the Palau de la Musica and do small pen and ink drawings there, executed with both hands working simultaneously, one to draw and the other to do the washes. From these I do paintings or take the drawings and enlarge them; these are in progress.
Holland, Estonia (Click on Art)
Drawings and paintings from summer 2015 travels in Holland, Finland, Estonia and Turkey reflect the architecture and landscape. I think you will find them interesting, especially the ones depicting Giethoorn, Holland, a fantasy land if there ever was one. You get around by boat, walking or biking, as there are no cars in the village. The houses are charming thatched roof cottages. When travel makes it hard to find a place to work, I do small pieces, pen and ink or watercolor, occasionally acrylics. There are two A3/16.5 x 11.5 pieces from Giethoorn.
Heart of Lightness (Click on Art)
Another series comes from our Zambian trip. We stayed in a small village with a Peace Corps volunteer, when we came to know the villagers. It was one of the most fascinating and heart warming experiences I have ever had. Most of these are sold but some watercolors are still available.
If you have any questions, you can reach me at info@garyjkirkpatrick.com, or 1-570-832-4480, a US phone number rings on my computer. In Spain, +34 658 744 302. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/gary6301/ and Google+.
Many of my works are listed on Saatchi Art. Any others that you want and prefer to order via that site, please let me know and I will upload them there.
I look forward to hearing from you – your comments are much appreciated.