What's Behind the Screen Door?

by Pat Patterson

Pat Patterson's photographs, a diverse mix of people, places, and things, are currently on exhibit at Brewberry's Fine Coffees on MacArthur.

One photograph that gets reactions is of a screen door slightly ajar, opening out to the countryside, titled "Freedom." People study it and pose their own interpretations. It's the door of an old house in Maryland that was once slave quarters. Some say the door stands for a new beginning, some say the closing of a chapter.

Pat calls the coffee shop her studio away from home, having exhibited several times over the last few years with as many owners. Serg Bellin, the newest owner, carries on the tradition of inviting local artists to show their works. When the original owners, Lori and Deb Pines, invited her to exhibit eight years ago, they felt it was important to promote local artisans and maintain the neighborly feel of the shop.

Patterson began her photography years ago with an eye for close-up botanic images. She spent time at the Berkeley Botanic Gardens and went as far away as Washington, D.C.'s Orchid Stryborium, capturing exotic cattleyas in full bloom. "I love using my close-up lens to capture the 'bees knees' inside a tulip and lose myself while shooting the mysterious, hardly seen, tiny set of flowerets way down in the center of a purple and green passion flower. Closeups are a whole other world. I've talked to other close-up photographers who say the same thing. They literally get lost enjoying the tiny, normally hidden view, and love bringing that image to viewers."

More recently, classic cars sparked her interest. Attracted to color, shine, reflection, and patterns, she accidentally stumbled on a classic car show and was able to get all those elements in a single environment. She was lost for hours just shooting the expanses of color and chrome.

Patterson uses family and friends as studies in moods and emotions. "Brandon" is her nephew Brandon Tatum, who stares intensely into the lens while playing with his shark toys. His eyes are magnetic, and viewers usually have a reminiscent story about their own childhood on seeing the photograph.

One can see the emotion and energy through her works. She is a lover of zydeco music, and one of her favorite musicians is Richmond local Andre Theiry.

"In 'Andre,' I caught him playing accordion, with its rich, thick Creole, high-energy sounds that he does so well at Alameda's Eagle Hall."

A black-and-white image of an African American cowboy on horseback is contrast in action, showing strength and power as rider and horse execute the turn in a rodeo barrel race, along with elegance and grace of the beautiful horse and rider.

The exhibit at Brewberry's will run until August 10. Contact Pat Patterson regarding artwork or notecards at 533-0680, or pmacp\@aol.com. Visit Brewberry's at 4008 MacArthur, open 7 days a week, weekdays from 5:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays from 6:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.