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I was born into a small enclave of Norwegian immigrants living in the Flathead Valley in Montana. We lived close to the woods, close to the earth. The beauty of the land and the animals had respect from those who raised me.
Reproducing images that tell stories was something that attracted my interest during the years of my education. By the time I entered university, I felt prepared to contemplate a study of art. My studies awakened me to the evolution of the complex process of art through the ages. Drawing dominated my work during my university years, emerging even through the washes of my paintings.
After graduation, I immigrated to Canada. Without the mandates of school, I began to study life. I experienced joy, grief, sorrow, birth, responsibility, death, peace -- all inspirations for my creative process. Expression often took a practical form -- clothing, shoes, food, and dwelling -- because I did not have time to actually draw. As time and circumstances allowed, drawing re-emerged. The powerful experiences of life and responsibility have provided subject matter that I feel compelled to set to paper. It is my wish to challenge viewers to thought and feelings.
Pat Forsyth
January 2011
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