We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Patricia Cummins. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Patricia below.

Patricia, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

Working with the National Park System has been my most meaningful project for over 20 years. I have traveled to over 140 parks all over the country, I have served 15 National Park residencies and have given presentations as well as exhibited my work at various national parks across the United States

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Growing up in New York City, I developed an early appreciation for the local park, Forest Park, in Queens. Famed landscape architect and Central Park creator Frederick Olmsted designed Forest Park’s main drive on the eastern side of the park. It was there that I first sketched en plein air (in the open air), and attended a private art school called, “The Forest Park School of Art”, and earned my BA degree at The City University of New York, Queens College. After relocating to South Florida, I completed my post graduate studies at Florida International University, raised a family and traveled a bit, exposing our children to many national parks during winter breaks and summer vacations whenever possible. After 25 years of teaching for Miami Dade Public Schools and Barry University, I took a year sabbatical and I opened a studio at ArtSouth, an artist community between Biscayne and Everglades National Parks, in Homestead, Florida. At ArtSouth and Biscayne National Park, I created my first national park-inspired paintings. The color of the Biscayne landscape is both intense and unforgettable. In 2003 Park Rangers Gary Bremen and Michelle Clark inspired me to begin my National Park Artist-in-Residence quest. Since then, I have been invited to paint and reside at fifteen national parks, and have been invited to serve residencies in Spain and Ireland. My national park paintings have been exhibited globally with the Department of State, Art in the Embassies Program, as well as at Walt Disney World Epcot Center International Festival of the Arts, and Flower and Garden Festival for 12 consecutive years.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Within a span of ten years I applied four times for a residency at Acadia National Park. I was chosen as an alternate 3 times before being selected in 2013, after four applications. Acadia is a breathtaking place. My studio and living space were resort worthy. There are photos on my website at nationalparkpainter.com

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

Having a 36 year career as an art educator/artist has been most rewarding. I was able to receive grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities, Florida Artist Enhancement Grants, and from the National Educational Foundation to facilitate travel to Mesa Verde (Crow Canyon Archaeological Center), travel with Florida International University to study art education in China, and supplement residency expenses. As a result of these experiences I was highly inspired and motivated to reach my students with creative and inspirational lesson plans, infusing history and culture to our learning activities. I also traveled with FIU study abroad program re certify my Florida teaching certificate. Being an art educator/artist has allowed me experiences I never knew existed, and has provided me with unforgettable travel and painting opportunities..

Contact Info:

• Website: patcummins.com
• Instagram: nationalparkpainter
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com

Image Credits
Donna Napolitano (bio portrait) Christopher Colt (Pat with Folding Screen)