Qualls approaches painting with such uncritical purity and unencumbered curiosity that the paintings are allowed the space to come to life through her expressive gestural movements, brush patterns, and color arrangements.
Born in Manchester, Tennessee in 1954 Patricia Qualls moved to Carmel, CA in 1980. Qualls early life consisted of varying and in many ways contrasting life experiences from which her artistic inspiration would eventually draw. From working in the fields on a farm, to the stock market, and practicing as a clinical psychologist, Qualls was eventually guided to her calling of artistic expression. After years of practicing therapy she began seeking a way to escape the clinical and analytical mindset. Her search lead her to an intuitive painting class which would mark the beginning of her love affair with the freedom of artistic expression. Genuine curiosity and experimentation with color, movement and abstraction became an elixir that could not be resisted. Qualls continued to paint before work each day, over time transitioning to a full time artistic practice in 2008. True to Picasso’s words, “inspiration exists, but it has to find you working” Patricia has since spent nearly every day in her studio, painting with a constant openness allowing for inspiration.
Qualls artistic philosophy can be described as one of experimentation and unencumbered expression. Beginning most paintings with a base layer of thick white paint and plaster allows her to begin the process of listening to the painting. With large palette knives she begins moving around the base coat in fluid motions, allowing the energy and friction of the tools and medium to guide her direction. This practice continues with each consecutive layer building upon the last. With varying brushes, tools, paint consistencies, hues and values she creates depth with each new layer all the while holding a steady intention of Trust and pure expression.
Patricia finds much of her greatest artistic revelations early in the mornings. Before the hustle and bustle of ever day life she is able to connect with her paintings in a way not possible without silent solitude. Her studio in Carmel Valley is referred to as a Sanctuary because that is what she has allowed it to be by remaining open. Open to feeling the sometimes sorrowful, sometimes joyful, and often hopeful interpretation of the world around her. Qualls approaches painting with such uncritical purity and unencumbered curiosity that the paintings are allowed the space to come to life through her expressive gestural movements, brush patterns, and color arrangements. This is evident in each of Patricia’s paintings which vary in style, approach, and feel. Each piece carries with it it’s own energy. Each layer, each gestural stroke, each melding of different hues is a unique combination of feeling, emotion, movement and chance.
Qualls is represented by an international collection in Switzerland, and national collections in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, Boston, Phoenix, Dallas, Houston, Montecito, Vail and many other cities across the country. Besides her studio in Carmel Valley and gallery in Carmel, CA, Qualls shows at Christopher-Clark Fine Art in San Francisco, A Gallery Fine Art in Palm Desert. Her work is also part of the George Blair permanent collection at the Crocker Art Museum in Sacramento.