Patricia Carrigan

Artist Statement

So many times things in life just never really turn out the way we plan.  Along the way there are moments of clarity, confusion, hope, joy and mystery but eventually there comes a point in time when you have to come to terms with what you thought your life would be and what it actually turns out to be.  The good, the bad and the in between moments come floating into view.   Recently I have been learning to let difficult and painful memories and moments pass through me without taking permanent root.  I think that I am finding acceptance and forgiveness in the actual process of laying down color and images allowing them to stay or go by painting, drawing, scraping, dragging, covering and uncovering.  Multiple areas and bits of images wrestle for space eventually either staying or going while always contributing to the finished piece. 

Biography

Patricia Carrigan is a painter and mixed media artist from East Granby, CT.  Patricia has exhibited her paintings, drawings, and mixed media pieces since 1990 in several solo, group, national and international exhibition.  Her work is represented in many private and public collections. 
 
Ms. Carrigan received her Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of Connecticut at Storrs in 1994 in painting and drawing and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Hartwick College in Oneonta, New York in 1982 in painting and art education.  Themes explored in her work include memory and personal storytelling, Irish family histories, and everyday symbols of life. 
 
Patricia has been awarded numerous grants including a Fellowship at the Vermont Studio Center in Johnson, Vermont, In Individual Fellowship Award from the Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism in 2002, 2004, and 2010, a New Boston Artist Fellowship Grant from the Greater Hartford Arts Council, and a Ballinglen Artist Residency Fellowship in Ballycastle, County Mayo, Ireland in 2005 and 2007.  In addition to her studio work Patricia is a Professor of Visual Fine Arts at Manchester community College in Manchester CT.  

Download Patricia Carrigan’s Curriculum Vitae

Artwork

 

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