Patrick Thompson was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. and is a graduate of Chicago State University. He has been an artist his whole life, even as a small child. His parents enhanced his interest in art by taking him on excursions to museums and galleries. During the 1960's he spent three years living abroad in Great Britain, where he studied the great masters and learned of the Bauhaus movement of modern art. Upon his return, he began his career as a technical illustrator at the Illinois Institute of Technology Research Institute, where he also studied contemporary art at the Institute of Design.
Patrick soon after took a different career path. He reflected back on his years as a military policeman in the United States Air Force. Thus, he enrolled in the Chicago Police Academy. During his career as a Chicago policeman, he eventually was promoted to detective in the Youth Division. He spent the latter part of his career assigned to the Office of Emergency Management and Communications. As a supervisor, he was in charge of emergency operators of the 911 system, and part of the homeland security operations for the city of Chicago. While involved in a career in law enforcement, Patrick restarted his career as a fine artist. His co-workers were all aware of his talents and encouraged him. They supported the various gallery exhibits and shows he participated in around town.
Patrick never forgot about the youth he encountered during the years as a detective in the youth division. With his experience working with youth and his background in art, he has developed a way of reaching youth through art. As a teacher of art, Patrick has held classes at the City Colleges of Chicago, workshops at community centers and churches, local school districts, and currently at the University of Illinois Chicago campus. He has since retired, and devotes his time exclusively to art and teaching.
Also interesting to note is that several of Patrick's paintings appeared in the motion picture The Kid Who Loved Christmas. His work has been exhibited in museums and galleries around the country. His many corporate patrons and collectors include: the House of Blues, Marina City Corporate offices, Harold Washington College, Harris Bank and Trust. Hollywood actresses T'Keyah Crystal Keymah and Cynda Williams, the governor of Lagos, Nigeria, Mr. John H. Johnson president of Johnson Publishing, Sylvia Flanagan editor of Jet magazine, just to name a few. The artist was recently awarded 1st prize and Best of Show for his painting "Into The Red Zone" at the Museum of Science and Industry Black Creativity juried art exhibit. The event was recognized by CBS 2 Your Chicago news segment. It can be seen in the following link: http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2012/03/02/your-chicago-local-artists-easel/. He is also included in the Encyclopedia of Living Artists.
Patrick's most recent exhibits include a one man show at the Beverly Arts Center, Chicago January 2015, Museum of Science and Industry Black Creativity 2015, the South Side Community Art Center 2015 annual Art Auction, and the Delta's Sorority annual art exhibit, Chicago.
The artist's prodigious skill in capturing subtle and diverse nuances of the world around him has gained him recognition by his many corporate and private collectors. When Patrick electrifies his canvas with the stroke of a brush or painting knife, using bold colors, he composes energetic images that are soothing, yet powerful. His originals are all abstracted images, with acrylic as his chosen medium.