(Bio)

Patti Opel is a Michigan-based artist known for her paintings and sculptures. She has exhibited her work extensively throughout Michigan, including at the Muskegon Museum of Art and other prominent institutions in the state. Her work is also found in public art collections at Grand Valley State University and Muskegon Community College. Beyond Michigan, her work has been exhibited in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, and Tennessee. Opel's artistic background includes studying painting and drawing at both Northern Illinois University and Western Michigan University. She currently resides in West Michigan.

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In 2003, Opel was honored as a "Top 100 Alumni" from the past 100 years as part of WMU's Centennial Celebration. Her work often explores themes related to humanity's environmental impact and it's implications. She also collaborates with Timothy Norris on paintings about Great Lakes shipwrecks and ecology. Additionally, she and her husband, Tim Norris, own and operate Kook's Eye Gallery in Pentwater, Michigan. 

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(Statement)

​In Carl Jung’s book “Man and his Symbols,” he states that we can hold the whole world in our heads as an anthology of images or more commonly referred to as the “collective unconscious.”  What compels me toward a certain image is a spontaneous action.  In many cases this is an intuitive process.  For me, the sustaining qualities of art are going to be visual and emotional.

 

The images appearing in my work are often based on a diverse array of influences from my surroundings.  I often manipulate the forms further to create an unlikely juxtaposition of elements.  Sometimes human-made elements blend with organic forms.  I choose these objects for the visual and metaphorical power.  As a result, my work alludes to historical, social, environmental, and/or psychological situations. 

 

The titles refer to various ancient Germanic pagan deities.  For example, Woden, king of the gods, was seen as a manifestation of ecstasy associated with prophetic states, fury, and poetic inspiration.  He was often referred to as “Woden the Furious.”  Throughout the Middle Ages Woden persisted as the leader of the Wild Hunt.  He is also thought to be the precursor to the English Father Christmas or Santa Claus as we know him today. In another example, Volla and Fulla are the ancient Norse and Germanic goddesses of bounty.  Holda is the ancient Germanic goddess and protector of agriculture and women’s crafts.  She is associated with the wilderness, wild animals, and remote places.  Ostara is the ancient Germanic goddess of fertility.  The word “Easter,” with its pre-Christian symbolism of spring’s renewal, is derived from Ostara.