Fern Patterson was born in Artusee, Oklahoma, where she attended grade school through the 8th grade, before attending high school in Eufaula, Oklahoma.
Fern has been an artist for numerous years as part of the outreach program at First Baptist Church, Sapulpa.
“Painting is the best therapy I know of. I paint to relax; I have always had a love for art,” said Patterson.
The program was launched by the late Royce Brown, Choir Director under the tutelage of Sam Houghton.
Patterson took lessons from Lois Shields in Tulsa for four years, followed by four years of instruction from Johnie Mason at the Mason Jar, an art studio in Sapulpa that is now closed.
She has been taking classes from Sam Houghton, President of the Sapulpa Artists’ Guild, on Thursday nights at the Sapulpa Senior center for a number of years. She also attended a 2-day seminar conducted by artist Jerry Yarnell.
“You really need lessons to get the basics down. These basics include effects of complementary colors, shadows, and lighting.”
Fern favors oils and relishes painting landscapes, farm scenes, and still lifes, such as flowers, birds, and animals.
Patterson, who turned 90 in January, has received an abundance of awards at the Creek County Fair, the Tulsa State Fair, and the Route 66 Art Show. Her work has been sold at the War Eagle Art Show.
She is also an ardent quilter and has spent numerous hours sitting at the sewing machine and quilting frame. All of her relatives have her hand-made quilts from her, and a number of them also have her paintings.
Fern loves to “get away from it all” at a trailer on her farm in Eufaula, where she spends a great deal of time “watching the sun rise and set, observing all the beautiful colors God created.”
Fern is in wonder at “How the flowers make buds, and I wonder how they know when it is time to bloom into a flower. I wonder how the fruit trees know it is time to bloom and when to put on fruit. I watch the many different birds come to the bird feeder and wonder if they know whether there is bird feed in it.”
Patterson said, “I wonder how God in his splendor can make a rainbow of so many colors and a perfect arch.”
Fern is a charter member of the Sapulpa Artists’ Guild and the Adult painting class, taught by Sam Houghton, at the Senior CItizens’ Center on Thursday nights from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
