Monday, September 9, 2013

2013 Artists Series Featuring Patricia Van Essche



This logo may be familiar to many of you who know Patricia Van Essche of PVE Designs. Patricia is a talented artist who creates illustrations and works of art in a fun and whimsical manner.Her fresh and colorful art will makes you smile while making an impression you won't soon forget! 

Please enjoy some examples of Patricia's art and read our conversation below.

A commissioned work of art for the Holidays
1) How did your journey down the path of art begin? When did you realize your calling?

My journey down the path of art began at a young age.  Raised, one of seven children, my mother loved keeping us all busy and I think creating art was where I could easily keep myself busy.  Still to this day, I love creating art and keeping busy.  I never imagined that my own art would sustain me while raising my own family.
A Commissioned Pet Portrait
2) What kind of mentoring and encouragement did you have in your youth or adulthood?

I do think having a mentor and people around you to encourage one in any field is key.  My parents always helped to encourage me and sent me to a teacher when I was a teenager who told me to "do art" and forget all the rest.  I think to this day, those words have been validated.  Many artists have inspired me but the real key is in doing.



Patricia has recently renovated her hilltop home and she now has her own custom designed art studio with room to meet with current and new clients.

3) Are there other artists whose work you admire or that provide inspiration?

Inspiration is all around me and the internet does make it easy as an artist to share work.  I love nature, spending time with my family, friends and then seeing how the world is evolving.  Things seem less fussy and there is a more casual approach to living that I find inspiring.  After all the way we live, the way we look at life involves sort of an aesthetic lens.  

I think every artist can agree, our surroundings influence.  Sargent's work inspires me, Jean Cocteau and Cecil Beaton.  Each of them developed a strong and unique style.


A montage of J McLaughlin Store Illustrations
4) To follow up the last question; what does inspire you when you begin a work of art? 

I gather inspiration before I begin by doing research so that I have everything to look at and then before I actually begin, I see what I need to do or the finish of a work of art.  It all has to align in order to work itself out.  I think having inspiration is one thing, but having the goal of an ending or a finish line is very important.
5) Your style is very distinctive. How did it develop?

I saw you work for the very first time when I began blogging, and discovered Mrs. Blanding's, who lives right here in my hometown! Right there I saw you had created her site's header art!

That is the key, to find one's style and then feel comfortable in that style.  I was educated and trained and many of the studies involved copying other artists and learning about their styles.  Finding one's style is the key.  When you find it, you know it because it comes naturally.  I have always been a bit obsessed with lifestyle and loved all that goes with.  I worked for years in Fashion in New York and loved it and always had work or freelance work to keep me busy and in demand. 

I have been working on my own for 16 years now and many clients are repeat.  They love my style and I am so grateful to each of them.  Many I have had the pleasure of meeting and getting to know.


Yes! I understand that you lived in Manhattan, traveled the world, as a designer and design director for Ralph Lauren,Calvin Klein  and Liz Claiborne brands.

6) Patricia, tell us about the other passions in your life? How does your spirituality affect your art?

Life.  Fresh Laundry. Hot coffee.  Dawn.  Sleep.  Good food.  Family.  Friends.  Quality.  Faith.

All of it affects my work.  I think spirituality does affect my art in a way that gives me hope to look forward to new tomorrows and know that life goes on.  

Loving what I do involves passion, work and faith.


 7) Lastly, please give some words of advice to the beginning artist of any age.

The best advice is to find gratitude each day.   Do what you love.  Perfect your craft.  Find your own style.  Try not to complain or create problems, be a part of your own solution and look for what makes you feel good.  I think good supplies and connecting with other artists is important too.  
Make it work.  Work at it.  Do it for 100 days and then ask yourself if you love it.  Also, telling yourself you are an "artist" and working at it is all the advice one really needs.  Take classes.  Study.  Travel.  



Patricia, thank you so much for participating in The 2013 Artists Series!

Please reach Patricia through her website PVE Design and be sure to read her very interesting PVE Design Blog


Please leave a comment for our fellow blogger and artist Patricia!
Thank you to all of my friends and followers who support The Arts!

xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena


Images provided by PVE Design

42 comments:

Teresa Hatfield said...

Karena-
Patricia is one of the most talented people! Thank you so much for sharing more about her.
Teresa
xoxo

ArchitectDesign™ said...

We all LOVE Patricia and appreciate her gifts which she shares so readily! I'm so happy to have had her do my blog header as well and I have the framed original drawing hanging in my bedroom -one of my most treasured possessions! She is as sweet as she is talented.

Elizabeth@ Pine Cones and Acorns said...

Karena, Patricia is so talented! I have been a fan for a long time and loved learning more about her!

Paisley Curtain said...

I am so fond of Patricia's work, her distinctive style may be to blame :) She is very talented indeed.

Best wishes.

Pam @ over50feeling40 said...

Really enjoyed this, Karena. Thanks for introducing us to this talented lady...love it!

The Buzz Blog said...

We love Patricia and her wonderful work - so much so, we hired her to create our packaging for our candle. A talented lady who is as lovely in person as she is in writing!
xxoo
C + C

peggy braswell said...

Love Patricia's work + follow her blog. xxpeggybraswelldesign.com

Unknown said...

Lovely interview Karena, and so great to get to know her better. Love her tips for artists; gratitude, good materials, hanging with artists, do it!

xo Nancy

I Dream Of said...

Thank you, Karena, for a terrific interview. Patricia never fails to inspire. Not only is she extremely talented, but she is so kind. A few years ago when I started thinking about leaving my very stable job to paint full time she was so gracious to spend and afternoon with me talking about her journey. I will never forget her encouragement and will always be thankful!
Hope you have a lovely week! XO

Bring Pretty Back said...

How I love her style!!! Karena I love the artists you choose to interview!!!!
xoxo
Have a pretty day!
Kristin

pve design said...

Karen,
Thank-you for honoring me and my work in such a lovely post and interview.
How incredible to think that we create such strong connections here in "blog land" and I do hope we can meet in person one day soon.
Your support of every artist knows no limits. For that I thank-you.
pve

My Notting Hill said...

Patricia is the best!! So glad you did a feature on her Karen.

Unknown said...

I am so happy to see my good friend Patricia here on your end for the artist's series. It's a well deserved honor, I absolutely adore her work and her inspiring way of life!
Thank you, Karena!

xoxo
Victoria

Pura Vida said...

Very quirky and festive!

Acquired Objects said...

Karena I'm so thrilled you featured Patricia. She's such a fabulous artist and has even done my own Dylan dog. Fun getting to know more about her.

XXX
Debra~

Leslie said...



This is wonderful Karena! Paticia is so talented. We own two english springers ..love the painting of the dog! It's nice to learn more about her;)

xxL

Our Hopeful Home said...

Patricia's advice is wonderful and worth remembering. Sometimes it's hard to just do art and forget all the rest, but it's a great way to view the world as an artist. Her work is delightful, thanks for sharing it with us.

Kristen @ Pursuing Vintage said...

Such fun art!

julie at Monkeygrasshill.blogspot.com said...

So nice to see Patricia featured. She is the most generous, talented and sweetest person-artist-blogger.

pve design said...

I love seeing all these comments which feel like hugs from new and old friends. Thanks to each of you for your kindness. It's incredibly motivating to me.
pve

Stacy CUrran said...

Very cool art and article. Thanks for sharing Patricia with us!
Stacy

therelishedroost said...

Lots of fun, thanks for sharing!!
Best,
Karolyn

designchic said...

What a great interview, and I am the biggest fan of her work...a great talent!!

designchic said...

What a great interview, and I am the biggest fan of her work...a great talent!!

Unknown said...

Karena and PVE,

Love you both and follow along the blog way. Great interview and love to learn more about each of you.
This is fun!

Bette

Decor To Adore said...

Oh I really see the Sir Cecil Beaton influence. I adore her style.

Easy and Elegant Life said...

Mrs. PvE continues to inspire. "Fresh laundry." To find the joy in the everyday is to certainly view the world around you through an aesthetic lens. A great reminder from a very talented, humble and truly personable woman!

Deserae said...

Patricia is so incredibly talented, it was so much fun to read her interview :o)
~Des

Mise said...

What lovely, cheerful and whimsical art. Just the sort of reality I'd like to create around myself. A great interview!

pam {simple details} said...

Thank you, Karena! I've always loved her illustrations of homes and pets! I think I need one of each! :)

Jen Beaudet said...

Love her whimsical drawings! Thanks for the wonderful and inspirational interview!
Jennifer
http://beaudetart.blogspot.com

Shirley@Housepitality Designs said...

Love Patricia's style..and I just love the last two works of art!...and love her "passions"..Great interview.
Have a great weekend Karena.

Sherry @ No Minimalist Here said...

Karena, I have been a fan of Patricia's art for a while now. I love her whimsical style.
xx,
Sherry

La Petite Gallery said...

I used to visit her Blog and I think she is a wonderful Artist. This was a lovely idea, and nice thing to share.
yvonne

Karena said...

Thanks so much to all of you who have commented on an artist so many admired!
xoxo
Karena
2013 Artists Series

Fashion-isha said...

Great interview! The art is so fun and whimsical!
xo
Sharon

Leslie said...

Hi Karen, I've already stopped by but wanted to drop by to say hi again:) I just love the pet portraits she does. Also wanted to thank you for stopping by and always leaving a sweet comment. Hope you are enjoying the start of fall. I'll be hit and miss over the next few weeks as my father is very ill and I am spending time with my family and hospice. Take care and have a nic week. xxleslie

Taylor Greenwalt said...

she is very talented...her art has a fun feel about it...Thanks for the introduction..

Sevaa said...

Lovely piece of art.. I really appreciate sharing this great post. Keep up your work.

"Create Beauty" said...

This was a joy to behold!
Lovely refreshing and delightful
artwork, interesting interview,
thank you Karina! I visited Patricia's blog and enjoyed even more...

~ Violet

highheeledlife said...

Brilliant interview my friend. Thanks for sharing such a fabulous artist. Hugs, C. (HHL)

Mr Paul said...

I have been a fan of Patricias work for a few years now. She has such an exception talent.
Have a wonderful week lovely Karen.
Paul XXX

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