Patrick Gorman Pettis' Blog

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 ...

There comes a time when a person has to reach beyond themselves, this is not an epic moment, sometimes its as small as getting the milk behind the cream in the fridge - its the choice to do so, to try, to make the effort and do something to make your smallest wishes come true that makes the start, and that makes the difference - not the act, the mind, attitude and spirit behind it each time we blink, every time we open our eyes or listen with our ears it is beyond our senses and intentions, it is how we feel and what we do about it. Would it be beautiful for us or ugly? It is a choice and an attitude toward the action. And yes I know that sounds so complex, but really its simple and its easy to find where your true heart lies and where it tells the truth there is a small exercise that anyone can do and it takes three minutes step one) read this sentance step two) close your eyes and count to ten forwards then backwards step three) focus on the last number in your mind and open your ey...

There comes a time in each person's life when they wish they could simply reach out and touch god, but they cannot - as children we look to the sky and at the ground and wonder why. When presented to the solution "because" we are each challenged with the definition of our ownand at times that can become quite frustrating. There are moments in our lives wherever we are when we look into the mirror and can barely recognise ourselves, and these are not monumental moments they go on and on within us in their own proclivity droning about like the hum of a cell phone set on vibrate. It is simply a need, to sing, to paint, to draw or caption or write or dance. Alexander Scott once saw prints of my paintings and stated " Stop this train I want to go home tonight" and in the background to the left you can almost see a train. I digress - what is the real reason why we exist - this is the question The answer is "because" On Page 129 of Anne Rice's Book. ...

"Castrato Cinque" There comes a time in each person's life when they look at the people they know and wonder what if. These are not epic moments, sometimes they last only a fraction of a second, the woman we know at the drug store, the child we know will become an adult, the parent we've only known as a child and not as a person - these moments are valid, they're human, and they happen all of the time within us. "Castrato Cinque" was inspired by the ninth Chapter to Anne Rice's Book "A Cry to Heaven" - the lead character is simply looking into a mirror at his own reflection - however the moment he has is one of those what if moments - a heartbeat long, and he for a spit second wonders exactly how far he has gotten away from himself what has he become who is he when he is alone and does he exist outside of simply playing a role at all. The painting is done on wool backed with a sulfur and aluminium mix combined with salt water, dandelions w...

There comes a time in each person's life when they are faced with an equivicalble challenge where they must either face themselves and grow or fuck themselves over and simply survive - these arent always epic or monumental moments, sometimes they happen at the ass end of a grocery line, but they are so very important to each of us personally and impact us as equally. The question most people most of the time ask during these moments is "really?" and the answer most of the time is "yes, really". Although this seems a redundant dance between situation and participant the result is near to magical because it is a choice and in our choices lay our character in the play called life - where we can either play out to the fullest or break our own traditions and create consistance and find opportunity. The concept between "Castrato Quattro" and this scenario situationalism is really quite similar - Imagine a time where the idea of you was more important the rea...

Introducing the 2nd Series for 2010 "Castrato" As inspired by the Anne Rice novel "A Cry to Heaven" which is a tale about the Castrati in Venice Italy during a time where the Catholic faith was deeply vested in politics, wealth and beauty - these men some from more than humble beginnings, in exchange for some security traded the essence of their manhood for the voices of Angels. What impressed me is the time period and language in which Mrs. Rice used to tell the dramatic tale about such a Castrato. Without giving away any of the plot or further iteration on her characters I will say it's a must read if you haven't done so you can acquire it in paperback for under ten dollars in some places, its highly addicting. Once considered a fascinating oddity reveared and feared for their strange appearences, these men comprised a group held tightly by their own subculture - almost bohemian. Unfortunately the only known recording is from 1902 - the last Castrato Aless...