PATRICK JAMES WHELAN

MEDIUM

Painting

ARTIST STATEMENT

“An artist creates a bridge between the ethereal and the physical worlds over which any eager viewer can then pass.”

ARTIST BIO

Patrick Whelan is a 1991 honors graduate of the Laguna College of Art and Design in Laguna Beach, California. He began illustrating for magazines while still a student and was subsequently signed with the New York agency Barracca & Asso..  His career continued to expand with clients that included: Random House, Bantam-Doubleday-Dell, Harper Collins, Simon & Schuster, Tor Books, A&E Television and many others.

Whelan’s commissioned illustrations ranged from the absurd – a depiction of Rodney Dangerfield doing a Fabio impersonation – to the sublime – an angel flying through the night sky, sprinkling stardust over New York.  Among Mr. Whelan’s hundreds of illustrations are a dozen Nancy Drew book covers, Peter Pan, Alice in Wonderland and Journey to the Center of the Earth.  Additionally, his work is featured in volumes 3, 13 and 20 of the ‘Spectrum Book of Fantastic Art.’

Mr. Whelan’s evocative and romantic fine art reflects the natural evolution of a talented and gifted career.  His exquisitely crafted original oils and limited edition prints are enjoyed in private collections across the United States, Europe and Asia. Whelan’s collectors have included Bob Hope, Larry Hagman, and Michael Jackson who acquired seven pieces less than two weeks before his death.  These were the very last paintings added to Mr. Jackson’s collection.  Patrick owned his own gallery in North Laguna (Whelan Galleries) from 2007 until June of 2012.

Mr. Whelan created and sponsored the “Night of a Hundred Angels” international art event in 2011 and 2012 (Co-sponsored in 2011 by The Cottage Gallery of South Laguna Beach and by LCAD in 2012).  The book versions of this show (titled “Night of a Hundred Angels”—Volumes I & II) are available now at Amazon.com.

This is Mr. Whelan’s 11th season in the Festival of Arts.