Artist Statement

The underlying objective in my work is to evoke an emotion from the viewer that taps into a memory of a place or time in one’s life. Through the use of blended colors, texture and energetic line, even my representational images have an abstract element to them that allows for an expansion of meaning. I might work from one of my photographs or just start with certain colors to see where the painting itself leads me to discover or uncover. By allowing my sub-conscious mind to guide me, lines and texture are added where they are needed at a particular moment in time. The experience of painting becomes a type of meditation within the present moment that allows for complete freedom of expression. The layering of materials and paint can represent the complexity of our lives and the many layers of our personality which make us all unique individuals of interest to each other. My intent is for my paintings to be intriguing to the eye and to convey some personal meaning for the viewer.

Education

MCAD (Minneapolis College of Art and Design), Minneapolis, MN, 1983-84, Graphic Design Classes

 University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 1968-1972, B.S. Degree, Art Education

Teaching and Professional Experience

2018-present, summer school art specialist, St. Paul Academy and Summit School, St. Paul, MN

2000-16 art specialist, St. Paul Academy and Summit School, St. Paul, MN

1999, sabbatical replacement, St. Paul Academy and Summit School, St. Paul, MN

 1989-present, freelance artist, St. Paul, MN, studio at The Dow Building, St. Paul, MN

1983-89, graphic designer, Patty Paulus Graphic Design, St. Paul, MN

1983-84, key-liner, Cats Pajamas Graphic Design, St. Paul, MN 

1973-83, k-6 art specialist, Anoka-Hennepin School District, Coon Rapids, MN

Artist Profile

Patty Paulus has combined various careers over the past 25 years. She began teaching art in public school, moved on to pursue painting and also started her own graphic design business.  She taught grades K-4 art at St. Paul Academy and Summit School for 18 years and currently teaches art as part of the summer school program at SPA. Patty continues to paint in her artist studio located in the Dow Building in St. Paul, MN.  Her work is on display in the The Dow Gallery located at 2242 University Avenue West, St. Paul, MN.  Patty has been able to intersect her painting career with her composer husband, Stephen Paulus, by providing artwork for the covers of many of his choral, chamber, orchestral and opera CDs. To see examples of their collaborative projects, link to www.stephenpaulus.com for CD cover art on Albany Records, Gasparo Records, Ten-Thousand Lakes, Reference Recordings and other record companies. The choral and orchestral CD, Far in the Heavens: Choral Music of Stephen Paulus, featuring the music of her recently deceased husband, won a Grammy in 2015 for Best Classical Contemporary Composition and has one of Patty’s original paintings on the cover. In 2016, she retired from teaching to spend more time in her art studio.

Grants and Exhibitions

• The Dow Gallery, St. Paul, MN, Seen and Unseen, November 7-30, 2019

• The Dow Gallery, St. Paul, MN, High Plains x 2, November 5 - 30, 2017

• Harry M. Drake Gallery, St. Paul, MN, From Within: Patty Paulus, April 1 - 29, 2016

• Harry M. Drake Gallery, St. Paul, MN, Patty Paulus: Color Currents, April 2-26, 2013

• Harry M. Drake Gallery, St. Paul, MN, Faculty Art Show, April 2-27, 2012

• The Howard Conn Fine Arts Gallery@ Plymouth Congregational Church, Minneapolis, MN, Paintings by Patty Paulus, November 7, 2010 - January 5, 2011

• St. Olaf Catholic Church, Minneapolis, MN, Patty Paulus Paintings, October 30-November 1, 2009

• Frank Stone Gallery, Minneapolis, MN, Solo Show, November 12-29, 2009

• Central Presbyterian Church, St. Paul, MN, Paintings by Patty Paulus, March 1-31, 2009

• Unity Church-Unitarian, St. Paul, MN, Solo Exhibition, October 1-28, 2008

• 128 Café, St. Paul, MN, Solo Exhibition, January-December, 2008

• Frank Stone Gallery, Minneapolis, MN, Fall Show, October 12-14, 2007

• Harry M. Drake Gallery, St. Paul, MN, Veils of Stone, Recent Paintings, (solo show), November 8-December 1, 2006

• The Lilly Fund, St. Paul Academy and Summit School, St. Paul, MN, Faculty Research Grant: Research and travel to Ireland to study standing stones and megaliths, summer of 2005

• Harry M. Drake Gallery, St. Paul, MN, Faculty Art Show, April 2003

• St. Paul Art Crawl, Rossmor Building, St. Paul, MN, Studio Open House and Art Show, Spring, 1999

• Arts Connection Gallery, Oxford Books, Atlanta, GA, Lyrical Paintings, Solo Exhibition, Spring, 1990