THOMAS MICHAEL PATRICK

I was born in the Hunts Point Section of the Bronx, New York, second of nine children born to Margaret & Peter Patrick of Binghamton, New York. I have lived in all five boroughs, as well as Nassau County, and for a few years in the seventies, upstate Binghamton, New York. I have been a resident of Staten Island for the last 18 years.

I have had many life altering experiences throughout my life, but none so enormous as seeing the World Trade Center collapse before my eyes. Due to some health problems, I retired early in 2002 and have since devoted my energies to creating art.

Through all my many moves, jobs and careers, I have always felt this aching need to make art. I received a grant through Project Hospitality to do three 22”X30” ballpoint pen drawings of drying dying flowers. The project for Project Hospitality was displayed at Borough Hall, on Staten Island, in late 2003. The exhibition moved to VLEPO gallery for two weeks the following January.

I am mostly self-taught. I learned the basic skills needed to stretch canvas, paint murals, run a flatbed press, and silk-screen. I have also participated in building a parade float or two. I have worked for many years at the “world’s largest” art supply store in Manhattan. I am an accomplished craftsman, and have sold many three-dimensional knotted vessels, as well as leather vests and belts. I made and sold many polymer clay pins and tubular belts in the “totally fun” 80’s.

Back to the present! Back to the basics! Back to drawing and constructing and assembling, and writing. Trying to make and say something meaningful.