Artist Pat Kaufman exhibits her colorful career

Plymouth Harbor might not be the place you’d expect to see great art exhibitions. The retirement community, located at 700 John Ringling Blvd., has hosted nationally recognized artists as well as great local talent and has been picking up speed over the past two years featuring the likes of Dr. Lou Newman and Scott Pike. The Pat Kaufman exhibit opening tonight with a reception from 4:30 to 6 p.m. is no exception. It runs through Feb. 4.

Sarasotan Pat Kaufman will exhibit a variety of works from her lengthy career as an author and artist. Before moving to Sarasota nine years ago, she was living and working as an artist in New York — she was one of the rare few actually born there. She flourished as an artist living in SoHo, where she still has a loft.

“I live in two great places!” she says of the art-centered cities she spends her time in.

Her portrait work is full of bright colors and textual details. It makes sense that there are textual details because she’s also quite the wordsmith. In her career, she’s written three graphic novels, three novels and, most recently, a book consisting of only her works of art. It’s called “Collages 2014.” It’s her first book that doesn’t include her writing.

“My point was that people can look at the paintings in the book and make their own story,” she says.

The collages included in the book will be on display in this month’s exhibit. Four other works, which she says are four of her favorite she created throughout her career, will be on display.

These are some portraits painted in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico in the 80s. She used to spend several months there every summer.

“Those people were beautiful and it just was inspiring to paint them,” she says. “They sat with such grace and dignity.”

Those were in the years before the area had acrylic paint, and she’d use oil on linen and it would have to completely dry before heading back to New York City. If you’re curious for more of Pat Kaufman’s story, then head to the opening reception tonight — she’ll be there.

Otherwise, check out her website: PatriciaKaufman.com.