For Pat Moore, painting hasn’t always been a daily activity. The artist started later in life, and after 15 years, says that her favourite part about it is that there is still a lot to learn.
“I like to take lots of workshops and learn new techniques,” Moore said, “There are so many different varieties of paintings.”
Moore uses the skills well, creating a variety of works using different methods and techniques. “I actually do quite a variety. I actually paint on rice paper, so I do watercolour on rice paper, and then I also do acrylic painting, and do oil paintings,” she said, noting that she also works with waxes, and paints on ornaments, gift cards, larger canvases and wine glasses.
Originally from Saskatchewan, Moore and her family have lived in Fernie for over 40 years. But it’s her local surroundings that provide her with inspiration for new works of art. “We were just out painting up in the old growth forests and it’s nice to paint outside and just get the inspiration around you. Fernie has so many beautiful scenes, so I like to paint the mountains,” she said.
Moore has her work featured in the Art Co-op, where she says the Fernie-inspired work does well because many customers like the scenery-based art for souvenirs. She has been with the Co-op for about a decade, and says that her work has changed over time.
“My art has evolved and I think part of it is from taking different workshops and stuff like that. All the artists are really good about sharing their expertise with their paintings,” she said. Her biggest skill may be her willingness to learn and to try new techniques and styles for the joy of it. “When I watch shows on TV, I’m always looking at the art in the background. I never used to notice that before I started painting myself, and I think ‘Oh that’s really cool. I wonder how they did that. As an artist, you always think ‘I wonder how they did that technique’,” said Moore.
Moore is a semi-retired nurse, allowing her time to paint almost every day. It was her mother who motivated her to try painting. “My mom is a painter, and she is actually in the co-op as well,” said Moore, “She didn’t start painting until she was 70 years old, so she said ‘don’t wait until you’re 70 to start painting’.”
Moore is also an avid golfer and is currently helping to organize the Golf for the Cure tournament. Between her love for hiking, biking and golf, she has found the perfect well of inspiration for her artwork, keeping it natural and based on her natural surroundings.