Starting March 3, the Community Room will feature the work of Patricia Cunliffe. In addition to being an abstract painter, Patricia is an integrated producer of various mediums. She is a writer, producer, director, cinematographer and editor; best known for her bilingual documentary feature about Latino artists in Los Angeles, A Language of Passion. Patricia production managed the PBS documentary, Bridging the Divide: Tom Bradley and the Politics of Race and was associate producer of Tom Bradley’s Impossible Dream for LAUSD. A collaboration with composer Dom Aiken who first wrote the music for Potters Field, Patricia later created the visual element. Patricia’s paintings can also be seen at Amy’s Patio Café in Altadena. Patricia is currently in post-production on her documentary about the Pueblo Revolt. Of her art, Patricia says, “I always felt that it was my duty, as an artist, to address political issues or societal ills in my work. However, with the current climate of affairs in this country, and in the world, I find myself having to detach from it all by using painting more as a form of therapy. For my more recent work, I recycle found canvasses, with many times an odd element of the former piece being the impetus for my new piece. Through this process of healing, I find myself painting simply for the aesthetic of it, rather than as a political statement.”
Jackie Ellis is a freelance artist and a resident of Altadena, where she has lived most of her life. Her interest in art did not present itself until her youngest son, serving in the military, was deployed to Iraq. Needing something to do, to combat her worries, she was encouraged by her husband to start painting. She created a series of wide eyed caricature paintings which she called “Say Cheese.” She wanted her caricature paintings to exemplify the warm and happy feelings she experienced when browsing through family photo albums. Although she loves all aspects of art, abstracts are Jackie’s favorite. Her current interests are in cityscapes, trees, and African art.