Patricia Warfield was a pioneering female artist whose distinguished 55-year career included developing innovative techniques and new media while exploring a wide range of subject matter.
Patricia Warfield (1939-2016)
Patricia Lee Warfield began her distinguished 50-year career in the 1960’s as one of the few pioneering female abstractionists working with paint, fabric, ceramics and print-making. She also explored the new printmaking technique of Carborundum Collagraph extensively, and even developed a whole new medium by melting Mylar with a torch, to achieve unique, threedimensional sculptural effects. Over the years she expanded her range exploring new subject matter through the creation of in-depth series, often developed over a period of years. These included figurative work - landscapes and the natural world, the animal world, and erotica, producing a large body of work, from the miniature to the monumental. Significant projects included a 27’ pastel mural of the Jackson Hole Rodeo, 110 portrait drawings documenting the 1995 ‘Trial of the Century’ of the O.J. Simpson trial, 8’ fiber Crow Sculptures, and a large pastel series commemorating the 9/11 World Trade Center attack in 2001.
The Art of Patricia Warfield
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Abstract Series
1958 - 1980
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Animal Series
1970 - 2016
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Cigar Series and Rodeo Mural
2005 - 2007
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Figurative Series
1970 - 2016
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Landscape & Nature
1980 - 2016
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World Events
1987 - 2010
What is the Life of an Artist Really Like?
At first glance, the life of an artist is an enviable one. There's no clock to punch, no meetings to attend, no bosses to answer to. The artist is free to do whatever she/he wants, whenever she/he wants. Sounds idyllic...The reality, of course, is quite different. An artist spends most of his days alone, with very little interaction or feedback from others. Her/His task is to transform a blank surface or unformed hunk of material into something that has structure, meaning and beauty. All the decisions she/he makes are her/his own, and the wrong one can result in the loss of hours, weeks or months of work. The artist does this without a regular salary, paid sick days, vacations, promotions, pension plans or guarantees of any sort. To face each day, she/he must have iron-strong self-discipline, extreme self- confidence and faith in the value of her/his efforts. How many of us can say that we would take a job with so many stipulations and so little security?
Preface from “Bound for Blue Water” by J. Russell Jinishian, published by The Greenwich Workshop Press, 2003
The Artist’s Life In Her Own Words:
“My Life Through Art”
“From the time I was in Nursery school I knew I wanted to be an artist. As a consequence, I’ve spent my life involved in art- teaching, painting, sculpting, print-making and drawing, while experimenting in various other mediums along the way.”
Painting shown: Painted by the artist at age 12, 1951
“When painting I have worked in Mylar- Lucite, Oil Paint, Pastel, Charcoal (brush/stick), Ink, Graphite, Sand, Brass filings, and many other materials that attracted my attention.”
Image shown from 1973 - Warfield with her mylar sculpture “Convergence”
“I have worked in Printmaking throughout my career, inventing a few new techniques as I went along.”
Image shown from the artist’s Abstract Series - “Blood Brothers II”
“In creating Sculptures, I have used Clay, Aluminum, Bronze, Wood and Metal bases for knotting Hemp and Tarred Cord.”
Image shown: Warfield with her 8’ Crow sculpture
Painting shown of the Artist and her twin sister
“Many different subjects have interested me as well. Figures, Animals, Plants, Masks on Nudes and Ballet Dancers…”
Warfield at her art exhibition for her Cigar Series
“Landscapes and combinations of all of these – some more abstract and some more realistic, but always with the intention of giving movement, and a true feeling of the subject matter, whatever it is.”
Image shown: Painting of the Artist’s house at Shelter Harbor, RI
“I’m always ready to try something new. That may be to my detriment. It seems that I work in series.”
Image shown: Warfield’s ‘Bird Brain’ bird feeder for Breast Cancer Charity
“I don’t plan it that way, but I’ll start with an idea and see how far I can carry it. It may take three or four works or it may take ten. It’s not planned ahead of time.”
Painting shown from 2016- Her last new nature series…
“As you can see, I don’t get bored. I think all artists in one way or another are relating things that are going on in our lifetimes – good times, bad times and everything in between.”
Image shown of the Artist in 2011- Plein air painting at New York Yacht Club, Newport, Rhode Island
For me – Life is Art and Art is Life!
