Continuiing through June 30, 2011
One does not simply view Patricia Patterson's paintings; they engross you. Her artwork takes you out of Southern California and transports you into village life on the island of Inishmore, off the western coast of Ireland. And it is not just the installation pieces that have this effect. The more than sixty paintings themselves do. Scale helps. The figures are at least or greater than life-size. So does the dynamic quality of her distinctive color combinations coupled with the opaqueness of the casein paint. The almost orange underpainting and warm, terra cotta tones vibrate against the violets, greens, blues and other cool colors. But primarily, it is Patterson's sensibility that creates an intimacy that allows viewers to feel as if they are strolling through the stark landscape or sitting at the table reading the newspaper with Pat, Nan and the other islanders.
California Center for the Arts, Escondido
