Sandstone Creations
They have been called unique, beautiful, amazing even organic. What ever you call them they are original to me the artist Patrickcollin. I begin by hand selecting my sandstone from local landscaping design centers and pick out flawless, large, thick slabs. It’s not quite like going down to the art store and grabbing a canvas off the shelf. I lug the sandstone home, break it into more manageable sizes, chisel, and shape the stone. I clean and scrub down the stone, remove any loose pieces, and then lay them out to dry. I use archival quality black ink and a stippling technique to create simple yet dramatic shading, which makes the images come to life. (Stippling is a process of creating thousands of tiny little dots by hand).
Sandstone is very porous so the ink soaks right in, creating permanent works of art. Sandstone has so many beautiful natural features that will enhance the artwork. I look for the differences in each piece: stone colors, textures, tones, shapes and layers are all part of my creations. I make sure to check both sides and turn it around and around again before I decide what image is just right for that individual stone. A piece that is tall and skinny may be great for a giraffe or I may turn it on its side and see a line of elephants marching to their favorite watering hole. Somehow I can see the best in each piece.
My sandstone is quarried right here in Arizona. This particular type of sandstone is recognized by its beautiful southwestern colors and tones.
Canvas Art and Art Prints
I want my canvas and print art to waken the mind, body, and soul with vibrant color that is sure to liven your home and put a smile on your face.
With a goal to create art that is beyond color, I begin with strong visual impressions of the environment, animals, and what naturally surrounds them. In much of my work, nature, wild animals, vibrant, and saturated colors are the essential ingredients. My translation of these colors and figures expands the mind and engages the viewer's imagination, which is what makes my creations powerful. If I capture it just right, my audience will experience being transported back to that very moment in my life, and they will connect with me personally.
Before I begin to create, I relax in the middle of my art studio. I think about inspiration that arrived to me in bits and pieces throughout my day, I think of my surroundings, my paints, palette, paintbrushes, canvas and easels. I bring myself to the present moment and dream. I get a marvelous and inexplicable connection with my canvas, I begin to sense every shape, line, color and brushstroke. As I transfer my visual image to canvas, it is then that I sense my creative abilities are full engaged and expressed. Painting is my ultimate escape, putting me in that very moment where its just the canvas, paints and my dreaming thoughts.
Please take a relaxing breath, feel this very moment and see the inspiration when viewing my art.
