Patrice Burkhardt
Florida, USA
AMERICAN PAINTER
“An image needs to have soulful appeal – compelling, yet, timeless in its depiction of life”.
Patrice Burkhardt
Patrice Burkhardt – Impressionist in nature with a hint of Expressionism !
I often find color too enticing to the eye, overriding all my sensibilities. When color is eliminated great images and natural compositions jump out more easily. The black and whiteness of the photos frees me to freely consider the element of color.
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At what age did you know you wanted to be an artist?
I was very lucky and that I was born into a family with both a mother and father that fully accepted and appreciated me with all my little creative oddities.
When I was seven, I remember riding my bicycle in the neighborhood. Somehow or another I came off of the sidewalk and tumbled onto the grass. It was spring and all the flowers along the street were blooming. There was this gorgeous row of trees in full bloom that simply took your breath away. I noticed I wasn’t the only one looking at these amazing trees. Cars would be driving along the street and would slow down, people were pointing while gazing up at these beautiful flowered trees. I sat and watched for a while. Then I looked over at a beautiful row of oak trees next to the flowering trees. They were being totally ignored. Sitting on the grass, I felt a sadness for these trees.
It seemed quite natural that my next action would be to shimmy up one of the flowering trees and pick several of the beautiful flowers. I then climbed one of the oak trees and carefully placed these beautiful flowers in the oak tree. Then I sat down and waited and watched as the next car slowly came around the curve. I saw the family gazing up at the beautiful flowering trees and then out of the corner of his eye the driver noticed that the oak tree also had flowers in it -quite unusual and very odd. That is when the car stopped and the viewers started pointing, confused about how an oak tree had flowers in it.
That was the beginning of my journey into finding beauty in all things.
What is the earliest artwork you did that you can remember?
When I was four I was drawing all the time. My mother would give me a box of crayons and lined paper and I would sit and draw and draw and draw- anything and everything that I saw. I remember finding a dollar bill and drawing a dollar bill. I carefully copied all the details on the dollar bill with a green crayon. When I finished with it, I took it to show to my mother. My mother had a wonderful sense of humor and was always pulling my leg (without me knowing). She took one look at my drawing and said, “Oh my… I don’t know what we should do with this… You could get in very big trouble for doing this.” My eyes got really big. Worried by the sound of my mother’s voice, I tearfully asked : Why?
My mother told me that it was against the law to copy money. That I could go to jail. My drawing was so good, it really looked like a real dollar bill. I better tear it up and throw it away and never draw a dollar bill again. I did not want to go to jail where they only gave you bread and water. I quickly tore up my dollar bill drawing and promised to never copy money again.
Which classical or contemporary artists have inspired you?
I am inspired by so many artists. It would be like asking me what is my favorite color. Monet is the boss for his impressionist vision. I love the colors found in Wolfe Kahn landscapes- truly a feast for the eyes. I love Matisse for his happy art and for his being an artist’s artist…doing art until his last dying breath.
How would you describe your artistic style?
My work is Impressionist in nature with a hint of Expressionism (expressive use of color).
When did you first sell an artwork? How did you feel?
I read once that Georgia O’keeffe viewed her artwork as her children. She had difficulty selling the originals. I have felt that way, often holding onto my art until I am ready to let it go out into the world- like a child.
What's your workstyle? Do you work on one piece at a time or work simultaneously on multiple pieces?
In my studio, I often have several paintings going at the same time. Right now I am finishing up one of five different paintings within my current series. The others are waiting for me.
When I have a deadline or a commissioned piece of work, my focus is of course on meeting the deadlines.
How do you get the inspiration for a new piece?
I have a treasure box of inspirational vintage photography that I pull out from time to time. See Video on the page.
Tell us a bit about your personal life ...
I love to teach. What I like most about teaching is inspiring others to paint. I love to share my techniques and skills and love of painting with others. I paint full-time and teach painting part-time. I have deer, racoon, and coyotes occasionally scurrying past my studio windows. It is a beautiful life
“Painting is poetry that is seen rather than felt, and poetry is painting that is felt rather than seen.”
― Leonardo da Vinci
A few pieces from Patrice Burkhardt’s gallery
Lover's Lane
Napa Morning
Why they love Patrice Burkhardt’s art
Katherine Harris, former Secretary of State, Florida
”Her artistry captures a traditional, yet, mystical and serene adventure.”
Sam, Chicago
”Thank you. I love it. I could not have expected more from a portrait of Eleanor.”
More about Patrice Burkhardt
Shows & Exhibitions
Exhibition
Juried Member Shows with the Florida Artist Group:
2019 Ringling College of Art and Design, Bausch & Smith Galleries, Sarasota
2018 The Webber Gallery – College of Central Florida
2017 Coral Springs Museum of Art
2016 Center for the Arts, Bonita Springs
2014 St. Augustine Art Association
2014 Alliance of the Arts, Ft. Myers
2013 Le Moyne Center for Visual Arts, Tallahassee
2012 Ringling College of Art and Design, Selby Gallery, Sarasota
2011 Cornell Museum, Del Ray Beach
2011 Maitland Art & History Museum
2010 Big Arts Center, Sanibel Island
2009 Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art, Tarpon Springs
2009 Armory Art Center, West Palm Beach
2007 Daytona Beach Museum of Arts & Sciences
2006 Ridge Art Association Gallery, Winter Haven
2006 Cornell Museum, Del Ray Beach
2005 Boca Raton Museum of Art
2005 Florida Gulf Coast University Art Gallery, Ft. Myers
2004 Gulf Coast Museum of Art, Largo
2004 ArtServe Fort Lauderdale
2003 St. Augustine Art Association
2002 The Arts Center, St. Petersburg
2001 Broadway Palm Theatre Gallery, Ft. Myers
2001 Venice Art Center, Venice
2001 22nd Floor Gallery, Florida Capitol, Tallahassee
Solo, Two-person, and Juried Group Exhibitions (Both National* and State):
2018 Diversitatastic! Orange County Arts & Cultural Affairs-Art in the Chambers, Orlando
2017 A Moment in Time Solo Show, Venice Art Center, Florida
2015 All Things Considered, Art Center Manatee, Bradenton, Florida
2014 American Women Artists, Addison Art Gallery, Orleans, MA*
2014 Women Painters of the Southeast, Magnolia Gallery, Greensboro, Georgia*
2012 Two-Person exhibition, Two Artists, Norris Center Gallery, Naples, Florida
2012 International Society of Acrylic Painters Exhibition, Atrium Gallery, Paso Robles, CA*
2000 All Florida Spring Juried Exhibition, The Art Center, St. Petersburg
2000 Teachers Create, Von Liebig Art Center, Naples
2000 Faces of the New Millennium, Alliance of the Arts, Ft. Myers
2000 Special Places, Von Liebig Art Center, Naples
2000 Illuminated Art, Alliance of the Arts, Ft. Myers
2000 Good Things Come in Small Packages, Alliance of the Arts, Ft. Myers
1999 Art 99, Edison Community College, Rauschenberg Gallery, Ft. Myers
1999 Our Town, Art League, Ft. Myers
1999 Solo Exhibit State Supreme Court Gallery, Florida State Capitol, Tallahassee*
1999 An Evening at Giverny, Cultural Park Theatre, Cape Coral
1999 Painting the French Countryside, Caldwell Trust Co., Punta Gorda
1999 Art Encounter ’99, Von Liebig Art Center, Naples
1998 enLIGHTened Art, Alliance of the Arts, Ft. Myers
1998 The Elements: Earth, Wind, Water & Fire, Alliance of the Arts, Fort Myers