Tell us about your artwork.
Hi, I’m Patty Pieropan Dong. Oil painting is my primary medium. I also enjoy watercolor, acrylic, pastel and block printing. My first teacher was my mother, Elice Davis Pieropan, who learned from some of the best oil painters in the New England area in the mid-20th century. She studied painting at Boston University as I did a generation later. We had wonderful plein air painting experiences along the New England coast and in the hill towns of western Massachusetts. Our Sierra Nevada foothills have been home for the last 40 years and have provided much inspiration and subject matter.
Describe how art is important to society.
Think of what survives and carries on our common human story. Artists react to and record their moment in time. From the aboriginal pictographs of Australia and the cave paintings at Lascaux, France through the Renaissance and into the present day: art installations, digital creations, and more in addition to traditional techniques. Art links us with shared experiences. Art is a window to others lives and cultures. For those who enjoy art as a pastime, it is a wonderful way to be present in the moment!
How would you describe yourself as an artist?
I feel that I am always gathering shapes, colors and compositions. I’m considering point of view, shadows and highlights. It’s a pleasure and it’s also work. It’s nice when it all comes together.
Has your style changed over time?
I have always been a representational painter. My early work was more detailed and academic. As time has passed, I have become more expressive in terms of composition and color.
Describe your dream project.
My dream? A painting trip to a new spot …a village …a garden, together with my sisters or some good painting buddies, capturing the “golden hour.”
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Read Patty’s previous interview here.
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