"For years I feared the sound of my brush hitting the canvas had been silenced forever. When my daughter was born I knew I had to stop. Painting was my life. I loved it so much I'd sometimes lock myself in the studio without the contact of other people for days. I knew I couldn't be a good father and a good artist at the same time so I decided to design and build custom homes while I raised my daughter. As she grew older, started school, and needed more of her own time, I began to feel the desire to express myself again. As painful as it was not to paint, I honestly believe the time away has made me a better artist. I feel like I now have a more balanced approach to creating art, and appreciate my time in front of the canvas more than ever."
Dalton was born in Waukegan Illinois in 1963 where he lived between civilization and the corn fields of the Midwest. It's easy to see the juxtaposition of these two worlds in his art. Although he's lived in New Mexico since 1978 he says the images of his childhood are forever etched in his brain. As the son of a research scientist, and a computer programmer/artist who were active in political and humanitarian issues of the sixties and seventies he says, "what would you expect me to paint? I had a crazy childhood."
Patrick Dalton taught himself to paint following a rock climbing accident in 1989. He said he always enjoyed drawing, but while recovering he picked up a paint set his mother gave him for Christmas and just started painting. He was fortunate enough to find early success in the art world, and claims the accident helped him find his true purpose in life. He says, "I'm so thankful to have found something that gives me such happiness. Even though my images don't always reflect that sentiment, the process of painting is pure heaven. The smell of freshly stretched canvas, the warmth of the studio lights, and seeing the paint mixing in front of you is an amazing process."
Asked to use one word to describe the way he feels to have the opportunity to paint again Dalton says, "Truly grateful! I know that's two words, but one word just doesn't do it."