PATRICIA WHEELER (American b. 1945-)Painter/Mixed media Patricia Wheeler’s work is created in a way that tells a story in layers. This might be a generational story or a story that unfolds and continues to recreate itself as time goes on. The strata of the work is heavily textured and filled with materials that are deeply meaningful to her. Pat mixes things like seaweed from her favorite beaches, ash from burned personal journals, and image transfers that evoke a memory. Her observation of how others document their own experiences fascinates her. During a residency, she was intrigued by watching researchers take field notes. She created art in response to this, using found items in the landscape and text to interpret her surroundings. “Through my work, I explore concepts of human interaction with the earth. My search is spiritual. I wish to regain connection to the natural world using the language of reciprocity, mining collective stories to inform my work. The beauty of the landscape is my most important inspiration.” Patricia technique starts with wood substrates painted with high quality house paint (bright saturated colors or flat black) to seal the board. She then applies limestone clay in successive layers with industrial trowels and spatulas. Sometimes she creates texture by pressing organic materials into the surface and then removing it, leaving traces of the material embedded in the clay. Then, very high quality, non fading acrylic paint is applied as a wash, allowing it to seep into the surface. Textures are then sanded, stained and finally sealed with bees wax suspended in resin. Each painting must dry for a week or so depending on humidity and temperature before a second coat of wax is applied. Patricia Wheeler developed this painting technique after a trip to Oaxaca, Mexico, in 2000, where she was struck by the continually patched and then stained or painted walls. The visit to Mexico reminded Pat of her roots in New York, where she travelled by subway, observing workers patching the old tile walls. The buildup of textures over the years spoke to her of history and the ancient memories of a people, a theme reflected in her work and technique. Something about the dignity of the workers, stored memory and the element of repair appealed to her, and inspired her to create art honoring this tradition.