Patrick Lee
Patrick Lee was born in 1972 and attended the Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in Painting with an Art History minor. He currently lives and works in Pittsburgh, PA.
Lee has had numerous solo and group exhibitions, including at the Butler Institute of American Art, the Hoyt Institute of Fine Arts, The State Museum of Pennsylvania, and The Westmoreland Museum of American Art. Lee’s work has been acknowledged by fine art critics, and featured in publications such as in PleinAir Magazine, Southwest Art Magazine, Fine Art Connoisseur, and Art Food home. His works are found in national and international collections.
In addition, Lee has achieved several awards such as Best of Show Award, Olmsted Plein Air Invitational 2021; Best Urban Scene Award, Wayne Plein Air Festival 2019; Best of Show Award, Bath County Plein Air Festival 2018; Best Figurative Painting in a Landscape Award, Plein Air Easton 2018.
Lee takes a unique, creative approach to painting en plein air and the studio. He draws heavily on intuition and imagination to develop an image, often altering the drawing, color, and spatial relationships to create a mood and express a feeling about the subject. Lee’s method often results in strong elements of abstraction and suggestion in his work, rather than explicit detail. This allows the viewer an opportunity to connect with each piece in their own way and invites them to make a personal association and connection.
Artist Statement
With my work, like to take everyday subjects and recreate them in the world of the painting. This world is self-contained, deriving its inspiration from the outside world, as well as from memories, dreams, and the imagination. I find freedom in the idea that art, in all its forms can take us to a place in our minds where connections are made, and where time and space are malleable. Anything is possible in the world of the painting.
My process involves starting with an abstract arrangement of shapes and colors from which the image develops. This is a back and forth process in which each decision can take the painting in one of many directions. The painting itself will often suggest the direction it should take.
I primarily work in oils, but I also like to develop ideas and play with abstract visual elements such as colors, textures, and patterns through the mediums of charcoal, ink, gouache, and paper collage.