Neil Patterson

Born and raised in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan Patterson has always wanted to become an artist. His mother encouraged him as a young child, saying, “You can have whatever you want. If you want it enough, you’ll get it.” However, there were no galleries in the tiny Canadian community, so young Patterson had little exposure to original works until he visited his aunt in Ottawa when he was 12. She took him to the National Art Gallery where his burning desire to become an artist was rekindled. Young Patterson bought a book titled How to Paint and remembers reading it on the train back to Moose Jaw.

Elected to membership in the prestigious group of intellectuals and artists known as the Salmagundi Club of New York, Patterson is also the first Canadian to become a signature member of Oil Painters of America and to attain the status of OPA Master Signature Member. Patterson also holds memberships in the Rocky Mountain Plein Air Painters, the Tucson Plein Air Painters, and the Laguna Plein Air Painters Association. As a board member of the OPA since 2002, Patterson has served as Co-Chair of Exhibitions, Juror of Awards, and Signature Advisory Board Chair. In 2006 he was elected Vice President of OPA. He currently is President of the OPA.