The first Foothills Art Association featured artist for the year is Patricia Palenschat.

Patty was born in Philadelphia, and has lived the majority of her life in San Diego. She attended San Diego State College, learning academics in Art, and then graduated with a B.A. in Fine Art from UCLA. After working at the UCLA Dental School as a medical illustrator, she returned to San Diego to obtain an art teaching credential.

After earning her credential there were no positions available in her field, so she began a 30-year career working for the United States Navy as a visual information specialist and later as an education specialist.

Throughout her federal career she was commissioned to do numerous portraits and a mural size painting for the Admiral at COMPHIBGRU3 who later became Commander of the Pacific Fleet.

From the very beginning, Patty found herself lost in observing intricacies and beauty of nature and people, finding them to often be a quiet voice of a wondrous God. Even as a five-year old she would draw and paint in the classroom, unaware that she was singing loudly, fully immersed in creating. It occurred again in college, with a bit of embarrassment, but the creative joy continued.

Blessed with time after retirement, life is filled furthering her expression, developing a path to speak through.

(Courtesy images)