We were lucky to catch up with Patrick Carney recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Patrick, thanks for joining us today. Too often the media represents innovation as something magical that only high-flying tech billionaires and upstarts engage in – but the truth is almost every business owner has to regularly innovate in small and big ways in order for their businesses to survive and thrive. Can you share a story that highlights something innovative you’ve done over the course of your career?

Created a Mastermind for creative heart centered souls that met every Tuesday morning for 43 years. This Mastermind changed lives. The system was so good that when the pandemic hit we moved to Zoom without having to change a thing.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Patrick Carney, the Artiste, is an indomitable spirit who has shared his creative talent with the world in ways that are sometimes beyond measure. No one captures the ‘Rock n’ Roll Heaven,’ and the ‘Essence of Women,’ the aura of their souls, the contours of their brilliance in the way this artist can. Carney captures the legacy that these individuals leave as footsteps on this earth.

While attending the School of Visual Arts in New York City, Patrick Carney had the privilege to study with Chuck Close, Marge Anderson, Robert Israel, Burne Hogarth and Milton Glaser; each of these teachers having a profound impact on his life.

As a youth he read voraciously – searching for answers which led to more questions. While pursuing studies at Buffalo State, he worked as a specialist in media at the Communications Center. Later he was named the Art Director of the Lafayette Community Center where he taught art to inner city children. For a time he traveled throughout the NY State as an Artist in Residence at underprivileged high schools as a representative of the Arts Council, and volunteered as a art teacher in the state prison system, believing that it was his obligation to give back and “Pass On” his given talents.
Starting in 1964 in NY’s West Village, Mr. Carney dedicated his time to drawing and painting the world of rock n’ roll music, it’s passion and creativity caught in real time forever. He traveled throughout the US attending rock concerts and painted whatever star excited him – and thus his work is a varied series of welcome surprises.

Hanging out at what he calls “the Corner of Art and Soul,” the Artiste Patrick Carney creates the images of your youth, capturing on canvas the music you grew up with.

“OMG! You can’t even imagine…the colors are so brilliant, expressions are so captivating and the descriptions are so thoughtful expressed. And the people he brings together are a bundle of joy, an inspiration rolled into one. You have to experience Patrick’s awesomeness Live and In Person. Will take your breath away and surround you with love!” -Vizion Uni, Art Collector

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

In 1980 I was robbed of $1.2 million of art from an exhibit outside Philadelphia. It was a struggle to rebuild the portfolio to begin exhibiting again as the case made it way through the courts. I kept saying that it will all work out. Everything, yes all of it. Even on the days i wasn’t sure i would make it. I kept asking myself what lesson did I have to learn? The moments of self doubt, the struggles, the heartbreaks all had a purpose. I knew I was on the right track when I became uninterested in looking back.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

Since i was fourteen I have honored individuals who were struggling with their lives by capturing them in a portrait. Each portrait let them see how I saw them, it let them know that after all these struggles end, they were going to come out stronger than ever. Sometimes all a person needs is a hand to hold and a heart to be understood. I continue to create these portraits every week as my mission to change the world. I imbed words behind each painting letting them know, that yes bad days are part of the process, however don’t give up.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: pcarneyart
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/patrick.carney
• Twitter: @carney_art

Image Credits

Two Portraits: Ann Landstrom Photography