Passion:

Botanical Art and Illustration:

A love of gardening and a career in design inspires and informs Pat’s work. Upon retiring from the fashion industry in 2013, Pat focuses her passions on growing the specimens featured in her work. In Spring of 2021 Pat received her Certificate of Botanical Art and Illustration from the New York Botanical Garden.

History:

Textile/Surface Designer

After a multifaceted career as a Textile/Surface Designer, encompassing a variety of markets, Pat now concentrates on two artistic endeavors: hand etching portraits and scenes on memorials and Botanical Illustration. The etchings bring comfort to families, friends, communities and those seeking to memorialize loved ones, heroes and important events. It is a compelling form of Surface Design and is gratifying work.

The Botanical Illustration is a practice Pat aspired to since taking her first "Nature Study" class at the Fashion Institute of Technology. Although having painted thousands of flowers in her Textile days, this form of illustration proved scientific and challenging. Pat received her "Certificate in Botanical Art and Illustration" from the New York Botanical Garden in Spring 0f 2021.

Pat considers herself extremely fortunate to have worked as a Textile & Surface Designer for her entire career. It is a profession she has been passionate about and fascinated with since childhood. This first love has endured a lifetime.

The Fashion Institute of Technology was her first choice for college and after graduating she was employed by M. Lowenstein & Sons in their Wamsutta division. In the beginning Pat “worked on the boards”, a term used for those who hand-painted on a daily basis. As a colorist, repeat artist, designer and eventually as assistant stylist, print stylist and mill stylist, Pat's career progressed. Opening her own studio, Yellow No 5 Design Studio, Inc. was a natural evolution. Specializing in service work (both hand-painted and CAD) and offering styling services including “mill work”. Working for and with, what were termed “the best of the best” companies, Dan River, Richloom Group, Robert Allen Group, Creative Bath, Talbots, Dana Buchman, Macy’s and many others, Pat's design skills evolved to encompass product knowledge in a variety of markets; apparel - women’s wear, men’s, children’s; home products - bed and bath, home furnishings, flooring, wall coverings and rugs. With a cadre of loyal customers, she enjoyed a long run of success. "I have had the privilege of working with some of the most talented artists and designers in the industry."

In 2011 Pat traveled to Italy and visited designers, mills and museums, including the Ratti Foundation and Ratti print plant, Antico Setificio, Tessitura Taborelli and Picchi amongst others. It was fascinating and educational to see what had changed and what had remained the same in our industry.

Invited as an Arts-In-Education Professional with Eastern Suffolk BOCES, and as a speaker for independent organizations Pat shared her knowledge and love of design by giving workshops and presentations to students, faculty and community organizations throughout Long Island.