Georgia’s Robert Patterson makes elegantly austere wood objects with little concern for utility.
The artist: Born in Baton Rouge, LA, Patterson grew up in North Carolina. Both his father and grandfather who were woodworkers. At college, he focused on drawing and painting. Patterson earned a BFA from the University of North Carolina and an MFA from the University of Georgia.
The studio/shop: For about 30 years, Patterson has worked out of his stand-alone shop in Milton, GA.
The art & materials: Round or oval wood objects that can be used, but are designed to be displayed ($300 to $1,500). Besides the wood portions of the object, Patterson often uses aluminum, copper, leather, paper and cloth in his work.
The process (simplified): An object’s flat surface, which is one contiguous piece of wood, is physically scored, and finished with a stained, dyed, oil/varnish mixes.
The greater amount of work goes into the preparation of and execution of the flat surface treatment.
Awards: In the craft world, he has won a couple of awards in the Richmond and Baltimore big craft shows, such as a best in show, and contemporary design award.
What’s next:
- American Craft Council’s Atlanta/Southeast Craft Week. Online, Sept. 20-26. In person, Sept. 23-25, at Atlanta’s Buckhead Village. For details, visit: org/show/season/atlantasoutheast-craft-week
- Featured artist at the Academy Art Museum Craft Show in Easton, MD, Oct. 15-17.
- Smithsonian Craft Show. Online only at smithsoniancraftshow.org, (Oct. 23-31.)
- Visual Arts Center of Richmond’s Craft + Design show, Nov. 19-21.
Where to buy: rpatterson.com
Get social at:
- Instagram: @rpttrsn
