Nancy Patino - The Artist

In 1921, Frederick R. Barnard first introduced the famous phrase we come to know well, "a picture is worth a thousand words". The phrase sums up the ultimate self expression artists aim to create with their work. Whether through a painting, a sculpture or a photograph, each is a representation of the tales they want to share with either loved ones or the public. I was recently at an art exhibition called 5INCO & DO2, where works by Colombian artists were featured including those from a painter I have come to admire recently, Nancy Patino. Overall, it was a simple exhibition with colourful abstract art and themes ranging from nature to architectural inspirations.

Best known for her use of big and bold colors, Ms. Patino started fifteen years ago and sees painting as a form of "soul treatment". Through her work, she exhibits a variety of emotions that are inspired by ordinary everyday subjects. Things that to the rest of us, just simply as they are.

It was Ms. Patino's work that stood out amongst the rest at the exhibition. At first glance, the paintings may look the simplest yet abstractly, they are directionally fierce. I have seen her work in private collections but this was the first public exhibition. Unlike the earlier artwork, she has chosen to feature a trio of paintings that I can only describe as a "range of one emotion", called "Convergencias I, II, and III".

Perhaps Ms. Patino is evolving as an artist but the usual choice of bold and strong colors are vividly present. She is showing us a different side of her work and I love this new sense of direction. Though we can still see the use of bold colors, they no longer take the center stage. Strong elongated strokes make their statements over a simple canvas. There seems to be a three part story to these paintings with Convergencias III being the climax of the tale. Ms. Patino's latest work is the most inspirational piece I have seen to date. It is a strong representation of who she is as an artist and as a woman.