Artist Biography
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Pat Huber, number two of nine children, grew up in Monterey County, in the agricultural community of Salinas, California. The daughter of a chemical engineer / agricultural business owner and an artist mother, Pat and her siblings were exposed to the value of studying the sciences and math, along with an appreciation for music and art. As a youngster, Pat loved to visit the fields of crops with her Dad or spend quiet hours at home looking at her mother's books of Masters' paintings. At the University of Oregon, in the days of the first Nike track shoe and the new emphasis on health, Pat studied the health sciences and graduated with a Masters degree. Teaching nutrition, biology and health education seemed a good fit. She used her creativity to design learning games, which caught the attention of the school district and led to an invitation to join a curriculum writing team for grades 1 through 12.
Pat was married to her husband Bill in 1977. They moved to Seattle in 1980 for a promotion Bill received, and teaching jobs were scarce. The large city presented the possibility of art school. It was there that Pat began to study the arts full time while building a family. Because Pat had already discovered a natural ability for interior design, and it seemed practical for employment, she chose interior design as her major. Subsequently, Pat practiced interior design for over 20 years until her business was interrupted by her parents' need for help due to her father's illness. She eventually began to find time for fine art classes under the mentoring of local fine artists.
The instruction of local artists Mark Farina, Gerard Martin, Warren Chang, John McWilliams, Tim Sloan, Jean Fosnot, and Laurie Kersey have influenced Pat's work, in addition to her mother's excellent advice. She has traveled for workshops from Tony Pro, Craig Nelson and Ken Auster. And many books, including the biographies of the Masters, are part of Pat's influence as an artist.
The subject matter of her work is still life, landscape and figures painted in the impressionistic style. When asked which she prefers, she answers, "Whichever I am working on at the moment." She is passionate about the beauty of light effects, whether on objects, the faces of people, or the eucalyptus trees. She captures "the thrill of the moment" using oil paint on linen or cotton canvas. "Light effects are awesome, yet fleeting, and the inspiration must be captured as a visual in the mind until I can get it right with my brushes. Life never holds still for long, whether a landscape, a vase of flowers, or a model holding a pose."
In 2008, The California Art Club accepted the painting "Monastery Beach" for six months exhibit in the historic Blinn House, home of the Pasadena Women's Club. In 2009, the national organization, Oil Painters of America, awarded Pat a workshop scholarship for achievement. Pat has also won awards for the three years she exhibited her art in The Monterey County Fair juried exhibition, including the honor 'Best of Show.'
Pat's motivation to consistently improve in her work has deep roots. She believes that doing her best honors the One who gave her the gift of creativity and celebrates the integrity of creation and human life. She also wants to honor those who have collected her work and put their confidence in her as an artist.
A Nantucket collector bought Pat's plein air painting "View from Mission Ranch" right off the easel to remember her Carmel vacation. Another Monterey Peninsula visitor was from Palm Springs. Although he buys for his home accessories store, he said he wanted the painting "Mark's Ginger Jar" to reside in his own home. A Carmel collector saw Pat's early painting "Teapots with Onions" in Gallery 417 on Cannery Row. She and her husband compared it with many other paintings before returning to buy that which they considered most restful and elegant. These collectors complete the circle. Each individual painting will always carry with it the background and inspiration of the artist, but the collector adds the significance and environment that indicates the true measure of the painting.
Exhibitions and Awards
Solo Exhibition “Women and Children of Sudan”, paintings from travel to South Sudan, Salinas ValleyMemorial Hospital Fundraiser
“Berries and Branches 2009”, November 12-13, 2009.
Solo Exhibition
“Wine and Art”, Marilyn Remark Winery, August 22-23, 2009, with plein air
painting demonstration.
Oil Painters of America 2009 Shirl Smithson Scholarship award winner, March
2009
California Art Club juried exhibitor for Concertos
in Color, Pasadena,
Ca..Plein air paintingMonasteryBeach, 8x10, oil on linen, shown Dec.08-June
09.
Autumn Harvest,
16x20 plein air painting, oil on linen, shown for home tour fundraiser, Salinas
Valley Memorial Hospital Foundation “Berries and Branches 2008.”Painting
featured in residential wine room.November 13-14, 2008.
MontereyCounty Fair Juried
Exhibition Awards:
August
2008Third Place, Roses
for Sorolla
11 x 14, Oil on linen
August
2007Best of Show, First Place, Shepherd at Sunset
18 x 24, Oil on linen
August
2006Honorable Mention, Orange Grapes
9 x 12, Watercolor on paper
2008/09 Commissioned paintings
Bridger 12x12 oil on linen
Lilly 12x12 oil on linen
Autumn Harvest 16x20 oil on linen
Remark Winery Dogs 12x12 oil on linen
Rain Ahead with Sheep 18x24 oil on linen
Shepherd at Sunset 8x10 oil on linen
Volunteer Art Teacher, Dorothy’s Place shelter for homeless women, Salinas, CA., Nov.’06-June ‘09
