Meet Pat Wetherton

I really loved the art experience early in life. My first art teacher, Mr. Gray, at Seneca, encouraged me to continue my art studies. He even sent my first still life to the State Fair after he made a frame for it.

However, my enthusiasm for art waned as I chose to go in a very different direction. After majoring in Biology in college, I taught science for 11 years with JCPS. However, I always thought I could paint and when the chance to take oil painting classes with the JCPS Adult Education program came along, I jumped in. 

My instructor with Adult Ed. was Gerry Furgason. She asked us to find a picture of something we wanted to paint. In my enthusiasm (and ignorance) I brought to class a Jean Leon Gerome painting called The Return From the Chase. It was a painting of a horse, two dogs, and a Moroccan rider with a dead animal laying across the back of the horse. All were standing in front of a concave fountain with lots of plants! I think it took me many years to complete that painting.

When I retired from JCPS I studied oil painting with Lou Ann Iler. She is a wonderful colorist, and I learned a lot from her. I am now working with Margaret Howard. I love painting photorealistic works and I am happiest with a number 4 brush in my hand. I have painted portraits of family members including my five grandchildren. I love painting scenes of places that I have visited and photographed. 

 I show my work at the Louisville Woman's Club art show where I won the prize for the best work of a woman's club member. I have been honored with that award six times in the last nine years. I also participate in the Artist Guild of Anchorage art show and sale. I am always very pleased when I sell a painting. The idea that someone wants to live with my work is very energizing.