Today we’d like to introduce you to Patrick McCormick.
Hi Patrick, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Patrick holds a degree in architectural engineering and is a master draftsman who brings technical rigor to creative projects. Fairly new to the art world, he transitioned to being an artist later in life, and his prior professional and life experiences have been instrumental to that choice. As a former industrial arts instructor for high school students, he taught woodworking, drafting, and design fundamentals—fostering practical skills, design thinking, and safe shop practices. Patrick combines his growing knowledge, meticulous draftsmanship, and an eye for form to create functional, well-crafted pieces while mentoring the next generation of makers.
EARLY LIFE
Early in his artistic journey he focused on landscape painting, rendering scenes from Harbour Town (HHI), Ireland, and Italy — places that moved him and that he loved to see. When painting those landscapes became repetitive to him, Patrick evolved his practice, shifting toward new techniques, materials, and concepts while continuing to bring craftsmanship and mentorship to his work.
MONTHS LATER
When landscapes ceased to excite him, he turned to painting people’s pets and then commissioned portraits, choosing to donate all proceeds from his portrait work to charitable causes. He has twice participated in the Italian Festival on Harbour Town, HHI, sharing his work with the local community while continuing to blend craftsmanship, design, and service in his art. He also displays his art at two Art Galleries on Hilton Head.
CURRENTLY
On a recent class from Milan Italy he encountered a new method that immediately resonated; it felt as if the technique “spoke” to him. Since he’s has been experimenting and refining that approach, experiencing a clear, flowing connection from idea to canvas and expressing genuine satisfaction with the direction his work has taken.
Now a fairly new voice in the art world, he experiments with a flowing, color-driven style that can take days to build: mixing paints, layering cells and glazes, and transforming surfaces until the work reveals itself. He knows when a piece is right—“I am having way more fun than anyone should have”—and was moved (and overwhelmed) when longtime friends asked for his new paintings, paid him generously, and prompted more donated sales. Patrick brings technical rigor, hands-on craft, and joyful exploration to work that both excites him and supports causes he cares about.
Patrick donates all of his profits to charities, he even pays for all the materials and paint. It’s his way of giving back for all the gifts he has received.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
My road was far from smooth; I came from a poor family in Pittsburgh, and shared a 10 x 10 room with two brothers. Being poor gave me incentives to do better, I remodeled my Families basement with paneling and a dropped ceiling at the age of 13, and added a bedroom so my oldest brother would leave my room. I joined the Army to pay for my College, I graduated in 3 1/2 years, and was accepted to Helicopter flight school for training. I excelled to the point that I was a top gun Helicopter pilot, and was trained on the cobra gunship, a Helicopter with missiles and rockets. I also had the pleasure of being Arnold Palmer’s caddy at Oakmont. I also met Omar Bradley at Ft Bliss Texas for an hour. I then started my own business, a financial Broker, which eventually became one of the largest in the US producing 7 Billion in annual sales. All the time I wanted to paint, but never had the time to try, I wasn’t even sure if I could paint, but the fire burned inside me…..Then I met the love of my life, we have been together 41 years, and 3 years ago she gave me an oil paint set…..I first painted dogs and landscapes, and artist couldn’t believe I could do that, it came naturally to me. Then I was asked to paint a friend’s child, and she loved it, and she told everyone. Well 38 portraits of friends later, I decided I want to be different, to be my own artist. I was in a class from Milan Italy and saw a man doing things I loved, so I tried them, they were like a part of me, and I could do more things than the man in Italy could do because of my background, I modified his basic ideas….Well my artwork is now mostly Abstract, it has no direction, just like I want it to be, anything goes. Often I start in one direction, and change directions, cause I didn’t like that direction. I can change paint to make cells, lots of cells, using a torch and mediums…..I also like to not connect the dots, letting the viewer find their own dots…..I work in my garage, so things get tight at times when its cold outside, but I dont care, I love when Im painting…I also have a large garden and play competition golf…..but painting is my happy place……I expect this step to lead to bigger more creative steps, I see that in my future…
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I have only been painting for 3 years and I have artwork in many galleries. I sold over 40 painting last year, all of the proceeds went to charities. I first did landscapes; they seemed easy, and I needed more. I painted people pets, that was easy, and a home run for charities, pet owners pay well. I then tried people because I was told it’s impossible to do; after painting 38 people, and two famous people, I realized I understood blending with oil paints. I then dabbled in Acrylics; I emulated a painter in Milan Italy, but I enhanced his methods. I now produce Amazing paintings; with so much debt, and creativity, I love the challenges. I now have my friends calling me asking me to do commissioned work, thats when you know you’ve made it. I am in the process of finishing my Esty account and my website; mccornickart.org, so I can show the world my work. I have been spending hours upon hours; making changes, and learning about how to market art, it’s harder than painting it….LOL…The bottom line is I love painting, so the time to produce my best product for the publics viewing is now, and I need to stay focused. Receiving an email from Voyager Magazine tells me I am on the right track, they don’t just interview anybody, they do their homework. So I need to have a website that stands above all sites, a place where people can see the art as if its in their home.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
Wow, in oil painting I learned I can fix anything, even if I create mud…..In abstract painting you need to think out of the box, feel it, let it out…..Let it be a part of your feelings…..72% of all new art sold is abstract….Todays children are inheriting paintings from their parents that they don’t want, its not there color scheme. They want their own colors and choices of art!
The most important lesson I have learned is believe in yourself; you can do anything, don’t let people bring you down……don’t believe you cant do something……Ignore the negative people or anything negative.
Pricing:
- When a painting costs $250 for a canvas; and you use $75 of paint, you shouldn’t be asked to paint for 30 hours for peanuts…..
Contact Info:
- Phone:908-619-5327
- Email: mfpllc@gmail.com mccormickart.org
