Today we’d like to introduce you to Pat Barro.
Hi Pat, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I first discovered I had a love for art in the fifth grade in Guam where I lived and grew up. There was a man named Mr. Card who came into our classroom and gave us art lessons.
He brought all the supplies for all 22 kids and volunteered his time. This was especially impactful because I had never even seen real art supplies much less got to use them. I’ll never forget the first lesson he gave us. It was a watercolor painting of a seascape and it was cool!
Mr. Card went on to teach us oil painting and as before he provided all the art supplies. He really inspired me and soon I was spending a lot of time doing art. After school, I started drawing superheroes from comic books. Batman was my favorite.
When I graduated from high school, I moved back to the Philippines, where I was born, and went to college for a degree in music. That quickly changed to visual arts after only two semesters. I moved to San Diego California and worked full time as a lettering artist for a local sign company as I was going to school full time.
In 1986, I took a position at SeaWorld of San Diego in their graphic and signs department. Signs in the mid-80s were still being hand painted and I enjoyed making them. I was also able to do some scenic set background painting. All that began to change when the computer-generated signs took over the entire industry.
Almost everyone switched over except for a few theme parks that still wanted the hand-painted look. The fact that I was using the brushless less every year at work made me decide to continue using the brush at home by doing fine art landscapes after work.
After 34 years of tenure, in 2020 when Covid hit, SeaWorld laid off all employees, except for a few “necessary” personnel. I was left without a job and realized I was at a crossroads. So after many long talks, my wife and I packed up and moved to Columbia, Tennessee.
I had about 25 paintings I wasn’t sure what to do with at this point so I started to explore my options. My wife and I heard of some storefronts being made available for lease at The Factory in Columbia TN. After much prayer and counsel, we decided to open up a studio/gallery and Poiema Studio Gallery was born. This storefront is a place where people can view and purchase my art and also a place where I can paint.
Thanks to Mr. Card, I have a desire to share what I know in art so we offer art classes that take place in the same location where I teach oil, acrylic, and watercolor. More information about my business and registration for art classes can be found by going to our website at https://www.poiemastudiogallery.com/.
I also produce Youtube videos as another way of providing instruction for those who are interested in learning art. My YouTube channel is called, Painting With Pat and can be found at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnBXEhvV_6as8uKlim80uvA.
I currently have about fifty paintings and prints of selected pieces for sale which can be purchased in person or on my website.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
I think for me the biggest challenge I faced was finding the style of art I wanted to pursue and base my career on as an artist. I love all types of art so picking just one was difficult.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I specialize in painting landscapes. Usually in oil or acrylic on canvas but I also like to paint on wood. Some of my largest pieces were done on old doors or barn wood.
Over the years I’ve painted dozens of murals including two that were done for the children’s waiting room at the Superior Court in San Diego CA. Currently, 3 others are located at The Factory in Columbia. Several of my hand-lettered signs are still displayed at SeaWorld in San Diego Ca.
I also produce Youtube videos as another way of providing instruction for those who are interested in learning art.
What matters most to you? Why?
Passing on what I’ve learned is definitely most important. I feel blessed to have been given the talent and ability to paint and I love to teach others.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.poiemastudiogallery.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/poiemastudiogallery/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/poiemastudiogallery
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnBXEhvV_6as8uKlim80uvA
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@poiemastudiogallery?lang=en
Image Credits:
Pat Bon Barro and Rachel Barro
