Portfolio

Untitled Portrait of My Mother Q4 - 2025

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Gateway to the Stars: Trial #1 -Q1 2025

A simple concept featuring a character I created years ago. In this painting, she serve as a gatekeeper to a door that leads to a place only the worthy can reach. Those who seek to pass must provide an acceptable answer to a question posed by the gatekeeper. Alternatively, they can attempt to force their way through—but that, too, is a response that will be judged.

Gateway to the Stars: Trial #2 - Q1 2025

A simple concept featuring a character I created years ago. In this painting, she serve as a gatekeeper to a door that leads to a place only the worthy can reach. Those who seek to pass must provide an acceptable answer to a question posed by the gatekeeper. Alternatively, they can attempt to force their way through—but that, too, is a response that will be judged.

A Still Life - Q4 2024

Screen Time - Q4 2024

https://www.mcnayart.org/exhibition/artists-looking-at-art-michael-patterson-jr/

Protectors of Memory: Charlene (Reimagined) - 2022

"Protectors of Memory" is a series delving into the pivotal memories that have shaped the person I've become today. Each memory resides behind a door safeguarded by characters I've crafted specifically for this purpose. In my mind's eye, I envision an array of doors, each guarded by distinct and formidable warriors, preserving a treasury of cherished memories

This painting is a reflection of a cherished memory from my early childhood, inspired by a dear friend named Charlene. The scene depicted in this artwork draws from our final meeting at a train station near 170th Street in the Bronx, New York. One particularly vivid recollection is the moment of her departure. As our respective trains departed, Charlene waved goodbye to me through the window, wearing a radiant smile.

Over time, the details of Charlene's appearance have faded from my memory. Consequently, I incorporate various characters into my paintings, each in the hope that one of them might capture her likeness.

The butterflies featured in this painting symbolize growth. My journey as an artist has seen a transformation as profound as a caterpillar's metamorphosis into a butterfly. This transformation underscores the idea that we all have the potential for significant personal growth. While beginnings can be challenging, it is through resilience and the willingness to rise after setbacks that we truly progress.

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The System - 2022

The theme explored in this artwork revolves around an individual who finds themselves ensnared by a system they were born into. The painting captures the pivotal moment when this person begins to awaken from the artificial reality imposed upon them. A smile graces their face, as they savor their newfound taste of genuine freedom. This marks their inaugural encounter with the ability to shape reality for the better.

During the creation of this painting, I personally grappled with a similar sensation of entrapment within a reality dictated by external forces. The majority of my time and energy appeared to be consumed by this system, leaving me feeling trapped in a perpetual cycle. I was well-acquainted with this existence, and the thought of deviating from it filled me with trepidation. The relentless nature of this routine left me weary and anxious, weary of living in perpetual fear. I was aware that I wasn't alone in these sentiments, and though I may have misconstrued certain aspects of my circumstances, I sought to convey the emotions and mindset I experienced while creating this piece.

Protectors of Memory: Court of Dreams - 2022

"Protectors of Memory" is a series delving into the pivotal memories that have shaped the person I've become today. Each memory resides behind a door safeguarded by characters I've crafted specifically for this purpose. In my mind's eye, I envision an array of doors, each guarded by distinct and formidable warriors, preserving a treasury of cherished memories

This painting captures a poignant memory set in Frederick Douglass Park in Harlem, New York – the very place where I first discovered the joy of playing basketball alongside my father during my early childhood. This memory holds immense significance for me due to the profound impact that basketball has had on my life thus far.

In this artwork, the central figure is portrayed as a formidable warrior, poised to unsheathe her katana at a moment's notice should any threat arise. Her thumb's positioning on the tsuba (guard) mirrors the precise technique required for drawing a katana from its saya (scabbard), a fundamental practice known as "koiguchi no kirikata." This meticulous attention to detail carries great importance for me as it reflects my deep reverence for the culture that has influenced and shaped me.

Japanese culture holds a special place in my heart, and many aspects of it have inspired and enriched my life. Consequently, I strive to pay homage to this culture through my artistic endeavors, aiming to honor the traditions and values that have left an indelible mark on my journey.

Shoshin: Fight or Flight - 2021

In the realm of learning, Shunryu Suzuki's wisdom echoes: 'In the beginner's mind, there are many possibilities, but in the expert's, there are few.' This notion encapsulates 'shoshin,' a Japanese Zen term signifying the 'beginner's mind.' It embodies an attitude of receptivity, eagerness, and a lack of preconceptions, akin to the mindset of a novice, even when delving into advanced studies. This paradox illuminates the tendency for extensive knowledge to close one's mind to further learning.

This artwork seeks to visually capture this concept, offering a visually appealing composition. The painting draws inspiration from Zatoichi, the legendary blind swordsman renowned for his unique reversed grip technique. Portrayed here is a figure poised to draw her sword with this distinctive technique. The impending motion is swift and precise, embodying the essence of a quick, true strike.

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Protectors of Memory: Charlene (Original) - 2020

"Protectors of Memory" is a series delving into the pivotal memories that have shaped the person I've become today. Each memory resides behind a door safeguarded by characters I've crafted specifically for this purpose. In my mind's eye, I envision an array of doors, each guarded by distinct and formidable warriors, preserving a treasury of cherished memories

This artwork is a reflection of a cherished memory I hold from my early years when I lived in The Bronx, New York City, and had a special friendship with Charlene, my first friend. This poignant memory begins with my family's journey to the train station. Along the way, we unexpectedly encountered Charlene and her family. I must have been around eight years old, as was she, and it had been several years since we had last seen each other. Despite the passage of time, we immediately recognized one another, and the reunion was one of the most heartwarming moments of my life. We embraced each other with excitement. I still vividly recall that Charlene was wearing a black leather jacket.

As fate would have it, Charlene's family was also headed to the same train station as mine, albeit on the opposite side of the tracks, as they were boarding a different train heading in the opposite direction. Serendipitously, both our trains arrived simultaneously. I took my seat by the window, and as the train departed, I witnessed a poignant scene that remains etched in my mind to this day: Charlene waving goodbye to me from the window of her departing train. It was the last time I ever saw her, and what haunts me most is my complete inability to remember her appearance.

The Japanese screen door featured in the background of this artwork serves as a portal to this cherished memory. Since I have entirely forgotten how Charlene looked, I chose to depict a fictional character in this piece, unrelated to anyone I have known.