Local Artist’s ‘Plein-Air’ Work To Be Displayed
At Redlands Community Hospital Foundation’s
‘Evening With The Artists’ Event
REDLANDS, Calif. – Love is evident in every piece of work that Patricia Rose Ford
paints. Her love for the great outdoors, scenes of Southwestern deserts
and coastlines and art have collided to produce award-winning plein art
pastels that have been honored by several distinguished pastel societies.
Ford has created art since childhood and enjoys working in the plein air
style, a movement that began in the late 1800s where California artists
went outdoors to create their masterpieces. Ford’s vibrant pastel
paintings display the tranquility and essence of nature.
Several of her pieces will be featured at the Stan and Ellen Weisser Education
Pavilion during Redland Community Hospital’s “Evening with
the Artists” event on March 30, 2012.
“I am drawn to plein-air pastels as I enjoy being in nature, looking
at a beautiful scene and translating the emotions of what I see onto the
paper,” Ford said. “My hope is that I am able to convey in
my art, the feelings of joy and tranquility that I experience when painting.”
During her 25-year career as a San Bernardino County social worker, Ford
discovered painting could be an effective stress reliever. However, the
Loma Linda resident also learned this particular career afforded her little
time to pursue her passion for creating art.
“Working with people, helping families and children during difficult
times was stressful,” Ford recalled. “It took away creativity.”
Ford, who worked primarily in watercolors, never really lost that creative
drive and has discovered a love for working in pastels over the last seven years.
“Pastels: the colors are very brilliant; I’m attracted to the
beautiful colors,” the plein-air artist said of the medium.
Several times a year Ford, and her other plein air artist colleagues, plan
trips to locations such as the Grand Canyon, Sedona or Zion National Park
in Utah to recreate the scenic views onto their canvases.
“You have a tranquil feeling of the beauty when you’re outdoors,”
she said. “You paint with all your senses when out on location.
I get to appreciate the smells, the wildlife and hear birds chirping.
Painting while out in nature is a very special experience.”
Ford’s artwork has been recognized by the Pastel Society of the West
Coast and has also awarded her a signature membership with the Pastel
Society of Southern California and Women Artists of the West. Ford’s
other affiliations include United Society of Pastel Artists, Plein Air
Artists of Riverside and Redlands Art Association.
Ford joins local artists Paul Strahm, Ginger Peña, Donal Jolley,
alongside the works of Jean Cranmer (presented by Kimberley Shirk Assoc.)
at the annual “Evening of the Artists” event. Ford’s
artwork will be available for purchase at the Stan and Ellen Weisser Education
Pavilion from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Friday, March 30. Proceeds will
benefit the Redlands Community Hospital Foundation art fund. Wine and
hors d’oeuvres will be served that evening. Tickets for the elegant
event are $20.
For more information on the Redlands Community Hospital Foundation’s
‘Evening with the Artists’ event or to RSVP, please call (909)
335-5500. To see a sample of Ford’s artwork, please visit patriciaroseford.com.
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Redlands Community Hospital Foundation is a nonprofit organization which
supports Redlands Community Hospital.