PERSON PLACE OR THING: ARTIST PATRIC STILLMAN @

I’m a self taught artist working mainly on figurative works in the medium of acrylics. With my head in the studio and paint under my nails, I understand that time has given me clarity of vision, the lack of fear to express myself honestly, and the skills to execute what is in my head. At 54 years of age, I believe that all my years have been building to this moment. Age is simply the another color on my palette.

My process is personal. I approach painting with a primal instinct to scratch, tap, and pull acrylic from the canvas. Within most of my paintings, this includes the illusion that is brought about by acrylic encaustic that blurs, softens and creates depth upon the surface of the canvas. This visual phenomenon provides the viewer a gentle entry point into the subject matter.

My voice is social. Belief that we connect ourselves with the world in a meaningful way through creativity, I offer my artwork and experiences as a gay man to a new generation in the hope of encouraging them to embrace their uniqueness and create their own paradigms.

I engage the viewer through visual storytelling. I enjoy creating a sense of being dropped into the middle of a something, which compels a viewer to interpret their own account of events taking place.

In the studio, I am examining the journey of my own personal identity through the lens of noir-inspired style. The paintings are primarily black and white with a few dull tones to capture a nocturnal mood that allow me to tweak archetypes and play upon psychological themes familiar to the genre.

With these works, I am at the precipice of my creative life. I am compelled to keep working within this framework I’ve created. The setting allows for countless variations for me to shine a light on the significance of being “different.” I have ideas to incorporate photography and mixed media into my work that I have yet to explore.

I feel that art is best seen in person so I imagine PERSON PLACE OR THING traveling beyond my region of the world. The tactile experience cannot truly be duplicated virtually. That said, I will also explore online opportunities to reach out to contemporary audiences who I hope have an interest in my work.

Imagination, awareness and commitment will take me anywhere I dare to dream.

– Patric Stillman, Visual Artist