Patti MacHale Bartol works both from her studio in Virginia and in the immense “studio” of nature. The fluidity of her favorite medium, watercolor, allows her to capture color, changing light and atmospheric impressions with her brushes. Her paintings strive to capture the fresh essence of each scene as she combines broad washes of color punctuated with delicate brush strokes.

Patti had early exposure to art with a lineage of artists on her maternal side. Her mother, grandmother and great grandmother were all painters. As a child, Patti was often included in outdoor painting excursions with her grandmother’s group of plein air painters. Patti’s formal education began with a BA in Fine Art from St. Mary’s College of Maryland. She has continued her education through studies with professionals in the fields of portraiture, abstraction and landscape, working in various media. She is an active member of several art groups: Metropolitan Richmond Artist Association, the Jack Woodson Sketch Club and the Virginia Watercolor Society.