Bill Pattison Bio
Bill Pattison is a professional artist from northern Indiana.
He is the founder of Artistic Expressions Publishing, Inc. and has been working professionally as an artist for the past 30 years.
Bill is unlike any person you’ve ever met. He’s like 10 different people all wrapped up in one. He can be wild and crazy and yet contemplative and quiet. He's a comedian and an athlete (or at least used to be). He is constantly studying but hates school. He can talk deeply about theology and yet is able to skillfully play dolls with his grandchildren.
The following will give you a small picture of who Bill is:
Artist
As an artist few have surpassed Bill in skill level and precision. From a very young age he was exceptionally gifted.
After getting sidetracked for several years trying to pursue other people’s expectations for his life (some of you have been there), Bill made the life-changing choice to turn professional.
Bill's Bio
Listed in Who’s Who in American Art, Encyclopedia of Living Artists, and Who’s Who in Limited Editions.
PBS host of "Art of Illusion."
Founder and President of Artistic Expressions Publishing, Inc.
Studied art at LaSalle Institute, Washington School of Art, Portland, OR, and Indiana Wesleyan University.
Exhibited and won over 100 awards through juried show, including “Phoebus Touring Artists” in Athens, Greece; Monsterrat Gallery in New York, and “Art Showcase” in Toronto, Canada.
Commissioned portraits include: Former Indiana University Basketball Coach Bobby Knight; Former Notre Dame Football Coach Gerry Faust; Former Indiana University Football Coach Lee Corso; Indiana High School basketball coaching legend Bill Green; nineteen portraits of adjutant generals for the Indiana National Guard; and six oil paintings for Multi-Service Centers of Indianapolis (and a bunch of other ones).
Featured in numerous publications including: Collector’s Editions, Decor, U.S. Art, Collector’s Mart, Manhattan Arts’ Artists in the 1990’s and Good Old Days.
Past member — Board of Directors of Hellenic Arts Institute, New York City.
Has taught over 15,000 students in over 100 cities throughout Indiana. His art class at Indiana University Retirement Center was featured on CBS “This Morning” program.
But Bill isn’t just an artist. He’s many other things. Here they are:
Teacher
To get started in his professional career, Bill began to do oil painting demonstrations all across Indiana. At first it wasn’t something he really wanted to do, but he thought it was something God was leading him into.
As it turns out, the very thing that Bill dreaded has been the very thing that has defined his career and the very outlet of his skill that has brought him the greatest pleasure.
It’s amazing to sit with Bill and listen to story after story about the people he’s had the privelege of meeting over the years.
And it’s encouraging to listen to them tell how he’s impacted their lives both on the professional and personal level.
Bill’s teaching has recently been captured in hi-def on his first DVD, The Art of Illusion.
Fisherman
What is no secret to those who know Bill well is his die-hard commitment to ice-fishing.
When the temperatures are low and Bill’s not painting, you can find him out on the ice pulling in some bluegill (or not pulling in bluegill, depending on who you ask).
Why anyone would be willing to go stand on a block of ice and fish all day is certainly a subject worth hours of contemplation, but Bill and his brother Max (known out on the ice as “The Famous Pattison Boys” - probably only to themselves) routinely get up at 3 a.m. in the winter to do just that.
As he has done with his art and songwriting, Bill has invested in this love with a commitment to studying this craft with great intensity. The more he's studied, the more he realizes that the many things his late father (Max, Sr.) taught him over the years were right on the money.
You can recognize Bill out on the ice in his all black Northern Outfitters ice-fishing gear. He’s quite stealth.
Even so, he hasn’t left his art mojo up on the shore. Visible on the back of his shanty (alternative canvas) is an oil painting scene that identifies him to all the other regulars out on the ice.
Songwriter
Very few people know that Bill’s secret obsession is song writing.
He displayed this commitment a few years back when he installed a state-of-the-art recording studio in a vacant bedroom in his house.
Bill is looking forward to releasing a CD in the not too distant future.
Coffee and Chocolate Connoisseur
Watching Bill drink coffee or savor chocolate is like watching a man in love.
Family Man
The most influential person in Bill’s life was his mom, Effiebelle Pattison. Through her encouragement and support over the years, Bill was strengthened to pursue his love for art. She was able to help him see that God had made him to be an artist.
Bill’s been married to Becky for 36 years and has two daughters, Rachelle and Traci. Bill also has 10 grandchildren.
Man of Faith
The most important time in Bill’s life was the day he surrendered his life to Jesus Christ. Before that day, his life was surrendered to depression, beer, and cigarettes.
Although this is not a website about religion, it’s impossible to separate Bill from his faith. It impacts all that he is and his goal is that this website would glorify Jesus.