Everyone loves a self-starter–a wide-eyed visionary who transforms dreams into reality.
Patrick Schmidt comes quickly to mind, immersed in his universe of mult-media explorations but always reaching out to an “international” community of creative spirits.
Here’s how he describes himself:
“I’m a tinkerer, artist, scientist, crafter, and many other things. I do small sculpturing and a lot of millefiori technique with polymer clay.”
An admitted “drop-out” from academia, Patrick once pursued a degree in Electrical Engineering at one of Germany’s elite educational sanctuaries. Add oceanic expeditions to the mix of his science-centered journeys, and one is confounded by a sudden career shift.
Perhaps, Patrick’s mother, a clay artist, influenced him to follow his heart…..and soul? (Ironically, Patrick and I jammed, playing “Heart and Soul” at a recent Meet-up in Berkeley that fleshed out his passion for “improvisation–feeding still another creative undertaking)
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Schmidt grew up in the “countryside” between Bremen and Hamburg, the son of an American citizen, school teacher. His childhood appeared serene as it was nourished by intellectual and artistic exposure.
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After emigrating to the East Bay, San Francisco, Patrick ignited a new-found creative arts journey, stacking project upon project within an awesome, reverberant Solano space. (Freely donated, it welcomes voluntary contributions).
In short order, TWO of of Patrick’s Meet-ups were born in this Open Fine Art Gallery, 1861 Solano Avenue A, Berkeley, CA, and one, bearing his hand print, happens to be the “East Bay International Creative Community.” The other, “Berkeley Piano Improvisation,” convenes each Tuesday with a mix of amateurs and professionals.
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Since pictures are worth a thousand words, photos taken by Patrick at the most recent Solano-based “Meet-up” gathering reveal a unique ambiance of artistic expression in diverse forms: (attached)
The exhibiting artists, including Schmidt, offered nicely framed and unframed mixed and multi-media creations. (Even a toy piano made a prominent appearance among paintings, polymer clay exhibits, decorative necklaces, and more.)
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Schmidt idealizes this space as a font of education and artistic expression. His own millefiori technique is taught and showcased by him.
Springing to life are his artful representations of DNA, RNA, and other biological strands.(attached)
Finally, Meet-up scenes from the most recent Monthly Potluck, display vital “connections” forged within a cultural community that’s growing in size and stature thanks to Patrick’s efforts.
LINKS:
http://www.meetup.com/EastBayInternationalCreativeCommunity/
