Not the norm

Friends and artists Tiffany Patterson and Carter Bowles are in the beginning stages of blazing their trails and finding their places in the fickle world of art and entertainment.

Bowles is working on a novel and creating digital art, while Patterson paints on found objects and recycled wood.

Both are 24 and like-minded, agreeing that their style of art is not the norm, leaning more toward pop realism. “Mine’s been called ‘candy cane with a little bit of creepy,’ ” Patterson said. The eyes of the characters she creates are intense, almost staring or looking back at the viewer. Girls and monsters are her subjects along with ocean dwelling creatures.

Using acrylic paint and India ink, Patterson paints her characters on hard book covers, some that she leaves around Spokane for others to find. Recently she came into possession of dozens of cupboard doors which she paints backgrounds on and then her characters. The cupboard doors end up looking like windows or a frame for the “snapshot” of girls with things like tentacles or a large tree coming out of their heads.

One piece called “Urban Latte” is a portrait of two girls seemingly attached. A tipping cup sits on one girl’s head as the other girl’s appendage appears to have been dipped into the latte as bees fly by.

“Someone once said my stuff was morbid and it made me happy,” she said, “Artists make art for themselves. A lot of people aren’t okay with themselves enough to appreciate something they don’t understand.” All it would take is the stepping out of one’s comfort zone to recognize the universal emotions emitting from her girls and monsters, the sorrow, the silliness, even the love.

Bowles subject matters also might be considered morbid in a futuristic sort of way. His angels are more science fiction than lovely, perhaps even a little more human. “The world isn’t ruled by human beings. It’s ruled by symbols. Images, thoughts and ideas are competing for survival in your mind,” Bowles said, “Together they make up the genetic code of the status quo. It’s an artist’s job to give birth to new symbols, and force the system to evolve.”

Bowles was initially planning on going into physics which he studied at Washington State University but never finished. He intends on focusing on writing and giving birth to new symbols. The novel he is currently working on begins “… Consciousness. Give it a fancy name. That’ll make it all better. Invent a soul and attach one to it. Give it meaning it doesn’t have. Tell it that it makes decisions, that it’s special. That it has free will. Truth is, I make the decisions around here …” Bowles calls his writing a nexus point between art, science fiction and mainstream thriller.

Patterson has shown her work at the Vault, Rocket Bakery, Baby Bar and Constant Creations Tattoo Parlor. She also has permanent pieces at Neato Burrito, 827 W. First Ave. and on the third floor of the Community Building, 25 W. Main Ave.

Both artists have donated a piece to the War on Want benefit exhibit and silent auction running through Nov. 20 at the Spokane Falls Community College Fine Arts Gallery.