I am excited to introduce you to a Nantucket artist that I discovered last summer at Samuel Owen Gallery (If you are on island be sure to check out my favorite gallery).

 I am such a fan of his colorful and clever work.

Enjoy getting to know

Charles Patrick

Nantucket, MA & Greenwich, CT

What is your training? 

I went to Parsons School of Design where I studied illustration and printmaking. I have always enjoyed working with paper and learned a lot about how to use paper during my time at Parsons.

What inspires you and your designs?

Some of my favorite artists are Stuart Davis, Robert Indiana, Charles Demuth and Jasper Johns. I love the way these artists used everyday objects and shapes in their work. Bullseyes, Stars, Text. I have always loved the “Champion” series by Stuart Davis

and Demuth’s “I Saw The Figure 5 in Gold” The graphic nature of these works have always inspired me.

What is your favorite piece? pictures if possible…

BAM!, POW!, ZAP! Are currently my favorite pieces. This series was a breakthrough for me because I pushed the medium (Organic shapes that resemble butterflies) to create a graphic image that is made entirely out of vintage Comic Book Covers. These three works have inspired me to create a larger body of work that uses letters and phrases.

How has the your area influenced your work?

After Art School, I started an art restoration business focusing on restoring vintage advertising posters from the Turn of the Century through the 70’s/80’s. I have owned and operated this business for over 25 years and in that time restored over 300,000 original works of art on paper. My world has been occupied by the graphic images of World War posters, Movie Poster and various advertising from around the globe. Handling paper is second nature to me and I appreciate the way it is printed. The color in a vintage Poster, comic book cover or currency is a constant inspiration in my work.

What is your favorite restaurant?

            I live half the year in Nantucket MA and the other half in Greenwich CT.

            My favorite restaurant in Greenwich is Geoffrey Zakarian’s “The National.”  On Greenwich Avenue. It happens to be next door to my CT gallery Samuel Owen Gallery.

            My favorite restaurant in Nantucket is “The Nautilus”. It is a small restaurant that has an amazing menu. The cocktails are phenomenal and the Brussel sprouts are incredible!

What is your favorite cocktail?

Dark and Stormy (Must have fresh muddled ginger) My wife Cindy makes the best Dark and Stormy ever!

How do you balance personal life and work?

Simply, I LOVE what I do and I make sure to always blur the line between work and family. My kids come to my studio and do homework or play catch outside. My wife and I work together and try to have lunch with one another every day. Do what you love and Love what you do!

Dream trip?

North Sumatra Surfing Village. I enjoy long board surfing and have traveled to several remote locations to surf. One place I have never been is North Sumatra. It looks like a relaxed spot with a wide range of waves. The hotel rooms are thatched roof huts which is an added bonus.

Dream commission?

I love doing commissions. It is such a great way to push the boundaries of my work and they always force me to look at my work differently. I would love to do a n 8 x 8 foot piece that depicts the globe out of various world currency.

Your favorite host / hostess gift to give?

When my wife and I got married I created a “Paint by Number” kit of the two of us on our wedding day. It was a complete set with paints, brushes and instructions. I have a few left and enjoy giving them as gifts.

Who is your style icon?

My Father

Your favorite up and coming artist?

Robert C. Jackson

What is your most treasured possession?

I purchased an original work from Shepard Fairey a few years ago called “Green Power” It was the feature work by Shepard in a show he did with Jasper Johns at the Halsey Institute. 

What are you reading?

Alice in Wonderland (Little Golden Book) as soon as I finished it I cut it into butterflies and made a piece of art with it.

What are you listening to?

The Bowerbirds

What are your favorite blogs / publications?

Artsy’s daily email is full of great articles about the art world. Canned Ham Trailers I also love I own a 1967 Shasta Canned Ham and I spend a lot of time in it. It’s parked next to my house on Nantucket and has an outdoor shower. It is like a clubhouse. I’m obsessed with these old Canned Ham’s.

Follow Charles Patrick on Instagram as well as his website.

Check out his cool work!

 

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