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Community Corner

Artist Profile: Pat Ryll

Meet featured artist at the Benicia Plein Air Gallery opening today.

Pat Ryll began painting 10 years ago with the encouragement of artist friends. She grew up in Southern California and raised her children on the San Mateo peninsula. Ryll moved to Benicia after she and friends read the Benicia police blotter. One entry described how police were sent to remove six chickens from a neighbors yard.

“We thought what a lovely place to live,” says Ryll. “Of course that was 10 years ago. It's just beautiful here. It's a historic downtown area. It's on the water. It's a very wonderful art and culture connected community.”

As a watercolorist, Ryll favors plein air scenes, flora and koi fish.“Plein air has always excited my artistic senses,” says Ryll. “I am in love with the creative process, especially working with the divine and unpredictable medium of watercolor. It’s exciting, challenging, flexible, and just plain fun for me!”

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Inspired by living in an old building in a historic downtown alley, Ryll paints scenes from her neighborhood. “I explore from a dreamy pool of colorful koi, a springtime field of wild flowers, a view of the straits with winter fog, to observing playful waterfowl right here in Benicia- I study and attempt to capture its essence.”

Two years ago Ryll retired as a sales manager for a fortune-500 company. “It's a whole different deal to be in a plein air gallery in a small town. It's absolutely perfect. It makes me smile every day.”

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Ryll serves as a commisioner on the Arts and Culture Commission as the Chair of the Public Art Committee and enjoys being a grandmother. “I've peppered my life with joy and inspiration on my three grandchildren.”

Ryll's paintings can be seen at the . An opening  is being held today and is open to the public. 

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