Meet Patrick Neil Brown: Fine Art Painter and Social Activist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Patrick Neil Brown and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Patrick Neil, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
I like to think my art has always had some sort of impact in the community and beyond. Impact of a visual art piece can be as simple as inspiration to a fellow artist or thought provoking when the piece has a controversial message. The impact that is more tangible comes from caring and being involved in your community. I have donated paintings to many various organizations used to raise money for support of their programs. Some of those organizations include VisualAIDS in New York City that has a world outreach helping people living with HIV/AIDS through various art projects, The Monarch School for homeless youth, Panache a non profit fundraiser in support of the Escondido Arts Partnership, The North County LGBTQ center that supports all sorts of programs from testing, counseling and various programs that include gender issues to senior citizens facing issues of aging with HIV/AIDS. I think it’s important to share your work with programs like these and others on a regular basis. 

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I starting painting fulltime in Nashville, TN in 2011 when faced with a lifechanging illness. I started with a small grant that allowed me to buy the necessary supplies to produce my first real body of work. That work gained the recognition of Nashville Arts Magazine and eventually lead to ABC television using many of my paintings on the set of the TV drama Nashville. That lead to more recognition, gallery exhibits and sales. When I relocated from Nashville to Escondido ABC continued using my work through the end of the series. It was a hard transition from Nashville and has taken a few year to develop a relationship with various galleries and collectors. Being an artist is personally rewarding but it can be a real hardship to make a career of it.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
The ocean is the first place most people in San Diego go to reenergize, relax and be inspired. I can spend hours walking the beach looking for shells and beach stones that have inspired one of my painting series titled Stones From the River. The galleries would be next on my list and I have been lucky to be included in many exhibitions from San Diego to LA. On the unusual side I would say one of my favorite pastimes is fishing at Lake Dixon in Escondido for trout in the cold months and bass during spring and summer. The outdoors is high on my list and hiking and exploring Southern CA has provided many hours of pleasure.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
The first thing that comes to mind is VisualAIDS in New York City that I have been involved with since 2011. This organization helps in many way and their mission statement says it best. Visual AIDS utilizes art to fight AIDS by provoking dialogue, supporting HIV+ artists, and preserving a legacy, because AIDS is not over. My part has been fundraising for the various programs needed to support so many.

Website: PaintingsByPatrick.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/patrick.brown.39750121
Other: Patrick Brown – Visual AIDSvisualaids.org › Artists+ Patrick N Brown – Art – Fine Art America

Image Credits
Patrick N Brown