“When I am under a subconscious state of painting, my mind knows and cares about the technicalities of material, but my hand…. My hand creates freely.”
Name
Patrick Alston
Profession
Visual Artist/ Painter
Website
Who are you? What do you do?
I am a visual artist with a focus in abstract painting.
Where are you from?
I am from the Bronx, New York. Although well-travelled, there is no place like home.
Your style in 3 words?
Free, tempestuous, exhilarating
Your weakness? Your strength?
My mind’s eye see’s my ideas, visions and creative expression in an entirely different way than my hand creates. It’s like my hands sometimes has a mind of its own. When I am under a subconscious state of painting, my mind knows and cares about the technicalities of material, but my hand…. My hand creates freely.
What makes you different?
My understanding that nothing is truly different.
When did you decide to become an visual artist?
From a very early age. I was always very curious, creative and attracted to colour. I drew as a means to stimulate my creative itch as a child and loved feedback from those who saw my work. Art was my first true sense of accomplishment.
What do you find most fascinating about your work?
Painting, specifically abstraction, can express emotions and feelings inexpressible by words or iconography. It is a language unto itself. A way in which I can express aspects of myself only understood by my core inner being. In painting, you become lost to your subconscious. Then and only then are you in-tuned with the “soul”- this energy takes over the process and you become the observer the action. In genesis when God said “Let us create them in our image”, might he/she have meant as creators?
A few words about your favourite creation?
I don’t have a favourite creation but I will say that my work titled “Turmoil” was a true breakthrough for me. It was one of the first works that I considered to truly speak for my artist voice.
Someone else’s work that inspired or inspires you
I am extremely inspired by Phillip Guston. His passion for art is irresistible. Other artist include Raymond Saunders, Cy Twombly, and Mark Bradford.
A new project coming up or an idea you want to work on?
I am embracing a new series of paintings inspired by the inclusion, exclusion, comprehension and understanding of art through language and titles. In this series of work, I begin to focus a great deal of energy on the creation and selection of titles. Abstraction sometimes has an inclusive and elitist feel to those who don’t comprehend or understand its significance. I began to focus on my understanding BEV’s (Black English Vernacular) usage as a form of abstraction in language as well as the ability for these words to be inclusive to those who understand these statements and phrases.
Finish the sentence „More important than my career is…“
My service to the greater good.
2018: Where are we going?
I am optimistic that this is an essential year in the development of humanity. I believe that there is a shift in the understanding of the realities of this world and a push for much needed progression.
When the going gets tough…
Redefine Tough
A rock is only hard in relation to a soft skin. – Alan Watts
Your city’s favourite spots?
I love going to Gallery openings around NYC. I usually stick to Chelsea, LES and Brooklyn for now.
Do you have a vision?
My vision is ever changing, growing, sharpening and developing. A stagnant vision is blindness.- Patrick Alston
What would you do if you could change the World?
See Link to NAS ft. Lauryn Hill – “If I Ruled The World”
Tell us about your future plans…
My future is to continue painting. I’d like my work to touch the lives of as many people as possible. I guess you can say that I’d like to be able to see a retrospective of my work at an esteemed gallery or museum one day, and be able to pick up a hard cover edition of a book cataloging my work.
Last but not least: what is your favourite Song?
Very tough question… I have many
I’ll Just go with – Bob Marley – Roots, Rock, Reggae.
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