Interview of the artist Pat Dunning by Artomatic Artists, Washington, DC
Artomatic DV Oral History Committee’s interview of Pat Dunning for the Artomatic Artists’ Archives, Martin Luther King Jr. Library, Washingtoniana Collection
1. Tell us about your artwork.
The major body of my work is simple, straightforward abstract compositions that reflect my love of painting, the pigment, and belief in the creative process. I explore beyond the illusions of reality and the immediate surface of the canvas or paper to reach subconscious mind images for an alternative truth, which is revealed to me through the creative process. I believe in letting the immediate dynamics of the creative process itself define my art. Like those who come to view my work, I am also the witness and interpreter.
In most cases, I do not think about what colors that I want to put on the canvas. Colors, because they have a temperature of their own, can guide the eye of the artist into the wisdom of his or her own soul. For me, the selection of colors, and the process of painting is a subconscious action, in which I am just an observer, and secondarily a participant of the work.
Stephen Mitchell’s book on the philosophy of Lao-tzu, in Tao Te Ching, Lao-tzu describes what I believe is my creative process, “wei wu wei”, literally “doing, not-doing”. Mitchell describes this in the following way:
“A good artist [writer, athlete…] can enter a state of body awareness in which the right stroke at the right movement happens by itself, effortless, without any interference of the conscious will. This is a paradigm for non-action, the purest and most effective form of action in which ‘the painting paints itself.’”
This most clearly describes the creative process as it works through me. When I lose my trust in this process and become too analytical or judgmental, my work suffers, so I have to let go of these controlling factors and let the painting paint itself.
“Less and less do you need to force things, until finally you arrive at non-action. When nothing is done, nothing is left undone.”
2. How long have you been making art in the D.C. area?
Since I arrived in DC, since 1980 – 24 years, and before that in Wisconsin, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Paris, London, and the Dutch Antilles.
3. What motivates you to make art?
It is my passion, my life (along with my family), so it is not a question of needing to be motivated. It fulfills a need, a desire, to express subconscious mind images for an alternative truth, which is revealed to me through the creative process.
4. Do you work or meet with other artists on a regular basis?
Yes, I meet with other artists on a regular basis. I have very close artist friends and casual artist contacts through art organizations. We meet for business and pleasure, mainly planning or going to art exhibits, theatre, art films, etc.
5. Has someone in DC helped you in becoming an artist?
No, I was already an artist before I came to DC. Of note, no one has helped me as an “existing exhibiting artist”. I had to do all my own research into DC galleries, shows, art organizations, contacts, networks, etc.
6. Do you have gallery representation or a place to perform or show your work locally, regionally, or nationally?
Yes, I have gallery representation locally, regionally, nationally and internationally. I belong to the International Artists Support Group, which provides international opportunities to exhibit. IASG recently exhibited in St. Petersburg, Russia; Beijing, China; and Bombay, India.
7. Are there senior or significant artists whom you think should be included in this project?
All artists interested in showing at Artomatic should be included in this project. It should not be limited or highlight only existing “significant” artists. Significant, as defined by whom? I say look at the definition of Artomatic to determine who should be included in this project, and you get the key words: Community, Heightened Awareness, Diversity, Platform, Springboard, Artist’s Space, Originality, and Fun.
8. Are there advocates, arts organizers, art historians, business or gallery people who should be included in this project?
If not included already, all known of the above in the Maryland, Virginia, and DC areas should be included in this project.