Patricia Leigh Forst's unique style is inspired by the contours and textures of the world around us. At first it was the coastal shapes of British Columbia, but the more travelling Patricia and her husband do, the more other landscape influences are becoming apparent. The canyon lands of the southwestern United States and Alberta have become a factor in her work. It is the monumental, yet tranquil quality of the mountainous landscape that she strives to capture.
Patricia's varied background includes a Degree in Recreation from the University of British Columbia, Capilano College Ceramic Studies, Sculptural Studies at the Emily Carr College of Art and Design and the College of Art, Design and Technology in Southend-on-Sea, England. One of her interests has been glaze development, which led to a summer of work with internationally known potter and author, Robin Hopper, testing glazes for his book “The Ceramic Spectrum”. She followed with glaze studies at the Metchosin Summer School of the Arts near Victoria, BC.
Exhibitions of Patricia's works include the Gibsons Public Art Gallery, the Sunshine Coast Arts Centre, the Richmond Art Gallery, the Whistler Convention Centre, The Quay Gallery, and Ceramics on the Edge, a Group Show at the Sunshine Coast Arts Centre in Sechelt, BC. Her murals and sculptures are in many private and corporate collections. Many works can be viewed at her own Forst Pottery Gallery by appointment.
In recent years, Patricia has developed an interest in Garden Design. Her home in Gibsons, BC is surrounded by examples of her talent in this medium. She has incorporated many of her ceramic sculptures in her gardens as a compliment to the lush surroundings.
Travel is a passion for Patricia. She has traveled extensively to Asia, Australia, the Middle East, and Europe, including a year in England. There she discovered it was sculpture, rather than pottery, that was to become her primary focus.
Travel is a passion for Patricia. She has traveled extensively to Asia, Australia, the Middle East, and Europe, including a year in England. There she discovered it was sculpture, rather than pottery, that was to become her primary focus.
She immersed herself in the museums, galleries, and public art, discovering the works of such artists as Henry Moore and Barbara Hepworth. Since that time, trips to France, Germany and Greece have enhanced her appreciation of art from those countries.
Patricia and her husband, Bill, have just returned from another travelling adventure. A year of exploring Europe and the Middle East by Volkswagen Camper, living the vagabond life. They began in Eastern Europe, including countries such as Estonia, Latvia, and Russia. They then travelled through Slovenia, Croatia and Turkey on their way as far south as Jordan. You can check out the travel blog from their trip here.
Patricia and her husband, Bill, have just returned from another travelling adventure. A year of exploring Europe and the Middle East by Volkswagen Camper, living the vagabond life. They began in Eastern Europe, including countries such as Estonia, Latvia, and Russia. They then travelled through Slovenia, Croatia and Turkey on their way as far south as Jordan. You can check out the travel blog from their trip here.
