Artist Profile: Pat Hall

Pat Hall has been teaching for several years and is currently an art teacher at Benicia Middle School. She received her bachelor of fine arts degree in 1986, followed by her teaching credential in art from California State University Long Beach.

Although she's been focused on teaching art in recent years, she's also been quietly drawing portraits. She has only recently begun to exhibit her art. “My students’ joy and appreciation for what I teach them has brought me to look at my art in a new way,” says Hall. “As it is with my students, this exposure is kind of scary, yet entirely invigorating.”

Hall has always had a love of photography, so it's no surprise that she chose realism as her style of art. “Drawing someone or something in a photo-realistic way, captures an essence or character that makes the photograph seem new and alive,” explains Hall. “Finding the gleam in an eye, or the certain way fingers fold together breathes life into a drawing.”

Hall points out that digital photography has become the standard way to save memories and this inspired her to create realistic portraits. “My joy comes from taking those beloved images and breathing new life into them,” she says. “There is a beauty in texture, light, line and shadow as it comes off the pencil and lands on the paper.”

Hall now participates in public exhibitions and takes on commissions for portraits. Her work has been shown in Bay Area venues as well as the Gallery.

An avid volunteer, Hall has been involved in community organizations like Mardi Gras Benicia and Arts Benicia, where she now serves as vice chair on the board of directors as well as the co-chair of the Annual . Hall is also a participating artist in this weekend's auction.