Patricia Woods
The Lazarus Center for Career Development

Three Paintings in Progress

Dock Jumpers | Rock Kids | Buffalo in Yellowstone

Patricia Woods is a Smith alumna (’00) and career advisor in the Lazarus Center for Career Development. By day she facilitates the creative process of career exploration. Outside of her day job she is captivated by all topics surrounding purpose and expression.

Patty draws inspiration from prayer, Bruce Springstein, the ocean, Bono, Gratefulness, and Pearl Jam.  Most of her paintings are of the rocky Maine coast or the physical body. She says, “Raw emotions come up for me when I’m participating in sports or painting. Running a race or working on a painting often elicit the same feelings of pain or reward. It can be challenging when ‘all the colors mix together to grey,’ as Dave Matthews once sang.”

For Patty, painting is about trying to create a feeling on canvas and she only paints for herself. “I’m not interested in my paintings being perfect.  If you want it perfect, take a picture.”

The three snapshots Patty submitted to the Virtual Creative Arts Showcase are of paintings she currently has in progress. Patty looks forward to displaying the finished paintings on campus next spring along with her “Splatty’s Totes,” a colorful splash on a common bag. “Hey, we all have baggage, might as well decorate.”

Request a bag by finding “Splatty’s Totes” on Facebook.