Pat Barton
The smell of ink. The love of paper. The thrill of making “multiples” using intaglio, lithography, and linocut. And pondering the perplexing puzzle of who we are as human beings: what we feel, what we do, and what’s important to us, as individuals or groups. This has been what inspires my creative work.
Using photographic sources and drawn images, my work takes stock of people, places, and things that stimulate a new awareness of the beauty of life and patterns—or simply amusement about how funny people can be.
After receiving a Bachelor of Fine Arts in graphic design from Southern Methodist University, I began making prints at The University of Dallas under the tutelage of Jürgen Strunck. Then, after moving to Oklahoma, I earned a Master of Art at University of Tulsa, focusing on printmaking and drawing with visiting professors Stephen Fisher and Ryk Ekedal and photography with Steve Sumner.
Currently, I am exploring making art using Solarplates — light-sensitive, nontoxic photopolymer plates that are exposed with UV light and processed in water as an alternative to traditional intaglio. You can usually find me making prints at Burning Bones Press in Houston.
Images from left to right
Hanging Around, 2-plate traditional photo etching with aquatint, 2020
Caste in Stone: Franciscan Dilemma, 2-plate traditional photo etching with aquatint, 2020
Caste in Stone: What’s Real?, 2-plate traditional photo etching with aquatint, 2020
Rock Garden, 2-plate traditional photo etching with aquatint, 2020
Foot Notes, Solar plate intaglio with chine collé, 2021
The Barbies, Solar plate intaglio, 2021