Life-long resident of Monroe, Louisiana, Rusty Patterson, developed a fascination for wood in the early 1980’s after a brief conversation with his now deceased grandfather. With his grandfather’s words of wisdom and encouragement, the journey began.
This
self taught wood turner traveled throughout the South from the early
1980’s thru the early 1990’s participating in various art shows where he
won numerous “Best of Show” and monetary awards for his works. Early works of his can be seen in museums such as the Fine Arts Museum in Mobile, Alabama, and the Synder Museum in Bastrop, Louisiana.
After a fifteen year hiatus that was spent focusing on career and family, Rusty has returned to wood working with a renewed passion, vision, and inspiration for the art he loves so much. He focuses on creating one of a kind art, allowing each piece to take shape as its being turned. Two basic principles govern each of his pieces: shape (small, medium, and large) and wood selection (light, medium, and dark). His pieces are formed using native American hardwoods mixed with exotic woods from all over the world. He even turns burls.
Rusty says, “I am a firm believer that Art would not be Art without admiration. Any medium can become a work of art when placed in an artist’s hands. Wood is my medium of choice. I’m fascinated by the vision I have for taking a piece of wood and then “seeing” what it can be made into.”
While woodworking is his hobby and passion, Rusty hopes to one day make it his full time career. Until then, he will continue to manage a business, where he has been for twenty-nine years, in West Monroe. He resides in Monroe, Louisiana with his wife, Sandra, and his four children (five if you count the Yorkie).
