Patrick Gorman Pettis' Blog

There is a strange sense of strength in feeling free, without the inhibitions of the physical - where the rules though they are still present can be skated on like leaves in the wind against gravity. This was the leading thought behind the premier piece in the 2011 Shinigami Series " Shinigami Aki ". But to understand the theory and concept behind the entire process one has to know what a Shinigami is. The series came about after reading some Chinese and Japanese folklore. The stories were rich in a time where forces and spirits walked the Earth - timeless, wise and/or bored. These forces played a variety of tricks on humankind for what ever reason and administered tests of character testing one's cleverness, inner strength or worthiness of honor. I used this spark of interest in tandem with a song by Origa which uses Russian, Latin and English vernacular in a haunting message that to some may seem common sense. However, it is so profound in its portray...

This series was directly inspired by the work of Philadelphia based Composer Jeffery Cotton and his body of work. His artistry is a combination of surprise and harmony which is ultimately quite literally haunting. It leaves a deep and unforgettable impression that lingers - an impression that one memorizes in its intrinsic folds - like a person can recall the smell of coconut from memory or the taste of a very tart lemon but a layered small eternity more intense, what better a source of inspiration to an impressionist painter. You can see him and sample listen to some of his work here http://www.jefferycotton.net/info.asp?pb=26&pg=1 The more I worked on the pieces the scope of the project changed. I chose to create a string quartet series for a few reasons - a person can be uncomplicated and still be complex. Though I don't believe I am one of those people (yet) I still know they exist, that said I believe we are all equally made up of four basic parts - the mind, the body, the...

Often I am asked as an artist, what inspires me - the truth is most anything can inspire me, where I am fixated is the concept behind the desire to create the piece - I will see something in everyday life that simply stands out, yes, but it isn't always an object its more a theory or societal norm or attitude almost and once it gets my attention it is all I can see until the piece is done. At that level of contemplation the piece will usually take care of itself, it just "makes sense" and it's painted. For example, I have often noticed that no matter what roles we play in life, son/daughter to mother/father or boss or child or friend or enemy we are still completely us - no matter what section we portray to fulfill that role we are complete within ourselves and carry each role like a living filing cabinet of lives tapping into each file when needed (or sometimes not needed), when appropriate (or not always appropriate at all). We are who we are, better at some roles ...