Life & Work with Pat Conlon

Today we’d like to introduce you to Pat Conlon.

Hi Pat, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I started my journey back to art around two years ago. I grew up painting and taking music lessons and began to pull away as I entered high school because I did not think it was “cool” and I wanted to fit in. Up until 2 years ago, at age 31, my creativity lay dormant. It was at that point that I really had no choice but to get back to painting and creating. In 2020, I found myself in the middle of the pandemic questioning who I was and what I was doing with my life. I was forced to be alone with my thoughts and feelings with ample time to reflect and reevaluate my life. I had been caught up in the corporate finance rat race and there was a joy missing from my life. The joy from creating. I also was struggling with owning my sexuality and identity as a queer man having come out of the closet after ending a relationship with a woman. I was using alcohol and drugs to numb out and escape the pain of not living my truth.

Art and creativity was there for me. Painting in a way was an escape but what I realized is that it was a way to heal, cope and process my emotions in a healthy way. I was present in the creative process and uniquely expressing myself. I was loving myself when I created. I hadn’t loved my true self in a long time. I am not always able to articulate feelings with words or I don’t want to, it seems limiting and creating gives me the opportunity to do so in a different way.

In 2021, as I was getting sober, I created a large acrylic painting called “Breakthrough” that symbolizes breaking through the limiting beliefs that kept me from being my authentic self and living the vision of MY life. Fear of judgment, not being accepted and starting over. Broadcasting this over YouTube, I felt truly seen for the first time as my authentic self.

It was an incredible rush; however, I soon drifted back to my old patterns of safety and comfortability. I stopped creating. I found myself in fear and doubting myself as an artist which led to a commitment to create and sell three original art pieces, something I had never done before. Sharing one’s art is vulnerable, you are exposed and seen, and I never thought my art was good enough to sell. In April of 2022, I turned my apartment in Venice Beach into an art gallery where I had my own work for sale in addition to other artists from my community.

One of my paintings sold before the day of the show which was an amazing feeling. During the show, people took a liking to a particular piece I created called “Clown Guts” and were curious how I did it. It was a specific painting process where you release limiting beliefs by writing them on the canvas and then throw and splatter paint transforming those beliefs into a unique abstract piece of art inspired by Jackson Pollock, one of my favorite artists. My intention with this process and painting is that one can connect back to it and have it as a reminder that we don’t need to listen to those stories. We release what no longer is serving us and are able to replace it with a different story. This process and abstract art in general is so liberating because you surrender the outcome, trust the painting’s evolution and truly enjoy the process. That day in the kitchen while talking to a close friend, I decided this process should be shared in the form of a workshop. All should be given the opportunity to create regardless of the stories society tells us…we are too old, we don’t have time, it has to be perfect, we should only do it if it makes us money and we are “good” at it. We all get to feed the artist inside of us. It is a human right to create.

I wanted to make these different from your typical art classes or workshops. They are more than just a workshop but a painting experience. Music is a big part of my creative process so I decided to bring a musical component into each event by having a live DJ and instrumentalists to accompany the painting. I also love nature, being outside and the beach so it was a no brainer to do this at the beach w/ the sound and power of the ocean at our backs. I guide participants through the process of releasing their limiting beliefs onto the canvas and then use color, paint and movement to create the piece of art. The music is specifically curated to guide the participant through the process, from introspection and vulnerability to freedom, joy and relief.

My message here is you can reinvent yourself and start over at any point in your life. Follow joy, your creativity – this has been the key to my happiness and success. My vision is to heal the world through art and create a space to play that is not a bar or in front of a screen.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
My biggest struggle is getting out of my own way and the limiting beliefs that keep me from moving forward. Luckily this is a repeatable art process! (Referring to my painting process). I am often my own worst critic and experienced imposter syndrome. Asking myself, am I capable of leading and teaching an art class? Will people take me seriously? The fear of no one signing up or showing up. All of these manufactured thoughts that can be so paralyzing.

There were a lot of times when I just wanted to stay comfortable and not create or put on the next event and then I remember the joy I get when serving others in this way. I remind myself to keep going.

Removing drugs and alcohol from my life has made me tolerate a lot less in terms of things that don’t feel aligned. This is the driving force of doing what I want, my art, and being who I really am.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am an artist whose mission is to reduce the barriers and limiting beliefs that others have around creating. Through art and a creative practice, we can heal ourselves and then the world. I specialize in creating space for others to play and create art. My abstract painting process of releasing limiting beliefs is a repeatable process that allows the person to break through paralyzing thoughts and leave empowered with a unique piece of abstract expressionist art. My painting experiences include live music and a natural setting to evoke flow and connection.

Who else deserves credit in your story?
None of this would be possible without the power of support. Something I never used to seek because I thought I could do it all myself. I had a story that asking for help was a weakness.

Being open to support began when I was getting sober when I joined a 12-step community. This continues to be a driving force in my recovery and creativity. In the beginning of 2021, I enrolled in a transformational leadership program that gave a me a will to live, to really live, MY life. In this container, I was able to be seen and given honest feedback. I still work with my coach from this program that has stretched me and taken a stand for my vision. In addition, being a part of a men’s group and mastermind of entrepreneurs has given me the accountability and support to keep going. I also am grateful for the mentors I have that support me in career, spiritual and life matters.

One of my biggest cheerleaders and communities of support is Stepping Forward LA, a non profit that empowers foster youth aging out of the system. I have been a volunteer for over 3 years and they have been with me every step of the way.

And of course my close friends and family near and far that support and encourage me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.affinna.com/community/52d1699223f511ed8060eafd68fadd9b
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/proydotcon/