Patricia Thorp was born in Virginia and many of her favorite memories are of fishing with her father John on the Outer Banks of North Carolina and working in the family Antique business.  From John, she developed a love of travel, the great outdoors and preserving history.

She attended PCC Sylvania and Portland State University in Oregon where she minored in Fine Art and obtained degrees in both Psychology and Social Science, later applying all 3 areas of study to working with troubled and underprivileged youth.

Leather work by Pat can be seen at the Mermaid Cove Gallery in Ocean Shores Washington.

Pat prefers to break her art down to primitive images and usually models her creations after wildlife and an occasional fantasy creature, especially dragons.  She loves the feel of something traditional and rustic.

Pat’s style is heavily influenced by both western and tribal art. Each piece is unique.  She adapted techniques from historical leather armor creation into building her masks.

Every leather mask or sculpture is individually hand cut, hand stitched and wet formed to shape. Then the dried work is waxed and heat set to stiffen, protect and hold its shape.

The artist hopes each creation resonates with someone who sees a little primal wild wonder and whimsy within.