Featured Artist Patricia Gould

Artist Patricia Gould uses bold color, form and texture to capture the beauty in her rugged landscapes. Visit her website to see more of her art.

 

 

My family included several artists over many generations. Art was a very important part of our lives when I was growing up, as was traveling to experience the natural world and other cultures.

 

 

As an art student, I loved learning to create using a variety of media including ceramics, silversmithing, stained glass, printmaking and painting.

 

 

Photography has been a passion of mine since childhood. Creating art that expresses my love of the natural world is my message to those who view my art and so my photographs are the beginning of my creative journey.

 

 

It is so important to me to be able to share the wildlife and landscapes that inspire me, even if the scenes just consist of the amazing skies outside my front door or a beautiful tree that I have photographed while hiking in the mountains near my home. I want my artworks to lift people’s spirits and bring joy to their lives.

 

 

When we moved to New Mexico from California, I could no longer work in stained glass since we were in an apartment for some time while building our home on ten acres of land in the forest in Angel Fire. While living in the rental place, I started creating wall quilts, using the sewing skills as I had been developing ever since I was eight years old.

 

 

At first, my fiber art pieces were simply collaged fabrics. Then I joined a silk painters guild and fell in love with painting on fabric to create my landscapes and wildlife portrayals. I also would discharge colors from dupioni silk fabrics and loved the effects that created.

 

 

For over 20 years, fiber art was my main medium. I have always loved the more tactile sensation of creating with fabrics, threads, beads and other add-ons. I transitioned to strictly painting when it became more difficult to create with fabric and thread due to poor eyesight and arthritis. Realizing that the painting was very enjoyable and the sewing, not so much, it was a good time to move on to a different medium. I am very much enjoying painting with acrylic.

 

 

In addition to being juried into art shows, winning wards, and having my art in museum collections, my biggest thrill was when the State of New Mexico purchased ten of my artworks that were installed around the state.

 

 

It is such a great feeling that many people will see these landscapes and wildlife scenes, especially in a drug rehabilitation center, two senior centers, and an outpatient treatment facility. I want the scenes to uplift those who maybe can’t experience the natural world in person. I have also had my artwork on display in the American Embassy in Estonia and in Myanmar.

 

 

Certain aspects of nature are so dear to me—water in all forms, glorious skies, rocks and mountains, trees and wildlife. The natural world is shrinking. I hope that by showing the beauty all around us, more people will embrace the creatures and environment that we need to protect.

 

Artist Patricia Gould invites you to follow her on Instagram and Facebook.

 

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