[print version Pendarvis biography]

"My paintings are familiar but not exact. I work in a predominantly representational style. I gather information from field painting "en plein air" capturing the essence of my chosen subject. The light is contstantly changing; therefore, to capture that moment I was drawn to paint or document, I often use a camera, then combine my emotional responses with the many reference materials I've gathered."

atrice grew up in a wooded area of California, surrounded by the ocean. As a young child, her artistic awareness developed through the stimulation from a neighborhood artist. A high school instructor, a watercolorist in her own right, recognized Patrice's talent and challenged her interest with sketching and painting assignments. This early devotion to working outside developed the love of creating and is rewarded. She held her first one-woman exhibit at age 15. She credits the knowledge and experience of painters under whom she has had the pleasure to work. Their professional abilities and guidance have enabled her to pursue a lifelong career as an artist.

              A resident of Hawaii for over 26 years, Patrice has captured the island's diversity and stunning beauty through her work. Most recognized for her renditions of Hawaiian locales, historical structures, and pictorial compositions, her paintings of mainland and European travels are sought after as well.

              On any given day, you can find this exuberant artist equipped with supplies packed on her back or her horse, riding or hiking into inaccessible areas, gathering information for future works. Patrice is also an avid gardener. Her family's home, with its adjoining studio and developing gardens, is a source of inspiration daily. Even as a young child she nurtured a garden. For the past five years she has been designing "the artist garden" on sections of her family's property. It is constantly used as reference as well as solace to enhance her work.

              "I value the spontaneity of watercolor for its unforgiving and true, immediate response. Pastels and acrylics are also responsive mediums, ideal for recording those transitory moments found out in the environment. They go a step further to enhance the vibrancy and allow one to manipulate a painting."

              Watercolor is her primary medium. Transparent watercolor is one in which no opaque white pigment is used. All light tones depend on the white paper, unlike opaque mediums that can be manipulated. A watercolorist needs to be a visual master of light and embrace the medium's compelling challenges. Working with this medium for three decades has given Patrice the opportunity to explore its characteristics through traditional approaches as well as the abstract quality when used with rice paper for collage. The exploration and development of a watercolor collage is an intriguing use of internal resources. Recently, Patrice has expanded her artistic versatility by using kiln fired china paint to create her watercolor-like images on tile.
             
              "Creative effort demands discipline. Love of my work motivates me with this objective reality. I know the joy of active engagement and it is the fulfillment of my purpose. I share with the world my intense appreciation for the environment and hope to raise their consciousness to also appreciate and respect it. My paintings are ultimately from nature but it is my interpretation that draws my viewers. Lost and found edges invite themselves in. If I can enhance a person's life and stimulate the sensation of being at a place or time that makes one react with an exciting emotional response, I have succeeded with my creative efforts."
              
               Patrice has held 28 "one-woman" exhibits and has been involved in 45 group showings. Her work is in many private and corporate collections including the American West DEX, Bank of Hawaii, Commonwealth Financial, First Hawaiian Bank, Gibson Co., Hanalei Bay Resorts, Hyatt Hotels, Hawaii State Foundation Culture and the Arts, IBM, Kauai County, Nabisco, Outrigger Hotels and Princeville Resorts.

Kauai Images, opened partnership gallery, Kapaa, Kauai.