Patti Moore: A Bold Bloom into Art and Joyful Expression

People of Charlotte, please meet Patti Moore—a vibrant artist whose bold, floral oil paintings radiate joy and color from her sunlit studio in Dilworth. A former marketing executive turned full-time creative, Patti has cultivated a signature style rooted in Southern blooms, personal reinvention, and the power of joyful expression.

Artistic Journey & Style

Can you tell us about your journey as an artist? What inspired you to pursue art? 

I have always been creative but never thought I would pursue art as a career. My background is in marketing. I'm from California and spent years in wine marketing and sales. I hold an MBA from the University of North Carolina and have worked in brand management in New York. I'm a WSET-certified wine specialist, hold a pastry chef certificate, and enjoy playing tennis. I've jumped around in all sorts of fun hobbies and educational endeavors in my life, but now I paint, and I think I've found the place where I belong.

Several years ago, I thought to myself, 'How would you see yourself when you are older and the kids have moved off to college?' For some reason, I thought, wouldn't it be fun to spend my days gardening and learning to paint? At the time, I had never really picked up a paintbrush. I must have shared this with my husband, Battle, because, for Christmas, he gave me art classes. The first thing I painted was the pear that so many talented Charlotte artists have painted. (Mine still hangs proudly in my kitchen.) I liked the classes at Braitman Studio so much that I kept taking them. Three years later, I had not missed a class. It became my favorite thing to do. I enjoyed learning, being creative, and meeting all kinds of new people - my new art family.

My work started to improve and take off during Covid. Before that, I would pack up my paints and brushes and take them to my weekly class. Sometimes, my supplies would stay packed up in the garage after class until the following week. When Covid started shutting everything down, I had no choice but to paint at home. It was something to do, and it gave me purpose. I painted every day. I built up my home studio and never packed up my paints again until I moved to StudioWorks in October 2023.

How would you describe your artistic style, and how has it evolved over the years?  

I like to think my style is a slightly more modern take on the traditional floral. I enjoy creating bold, graphic patterns featuring flowers, especially hydrangeas. I started, as many artists do, experimenting with a little bit of everything—landscapes, abstracts, figures, and florals. At the end of the day, I found I was good at everything and great at nothing. I really didn't stand out as an artist, and I wanted to find my own voice among the so many talented artists in Charlotte and beyond. I began to focus on what I enjoyed painting and tried to make it my own. I suppose that's where my marketing background kicked in, as I then tried to turn my art into a recognizable brand. I think it's starting to catch on a bit as people will visit my studio and say, "I know your work; aren't you at Art House, Isabella, etc.?"

Are there any particular themes or emotions you try to capture in your pieces?

Whether trying or not, my art evokes joy! If you visit my studio, you will be instantly surrounded by wall-to-wall flowers in all kinds of brilliant colors. I'm not afraid of pink - there's a lot of it, and blue hydrangeas for days. I paint in the most amazing space—it is small (so it is packed with art) and filled with windows and natural sunlight. My customers often exclaim when they enter my space because it's so bold and happy. Many recent clients have purchased my art to bring a touch of happiness and joy into their homes. I love that.

What mediums do you prefer to work with, and why?

I like to paint big with big brushes and a lot of paint. Even at the beginning, I would try to find the biggest canvas possible to work with. I enjoy working with texture and mixing colors on the canvas. For those reasons, oil is my favorite medium.

What role does Charlotte, or the Carolinas in general, play in your work?

I'm not from the South, but my husband is, and I've learned to love all of the traditions and the beauty of our state. In many ways, I'm still working on realizing my initial dream of working in the garden and painting. My garden is filled with nearly 30 hydrangea plants and several magnolias as well. This inspiration can be seen in my work—both the subject and the cast of colors from my garden to my palette.

Additionally, the people of Charlotte are passionate about and appreciate art. I feel fortunate to be creating work in a place where the community is so encouraging and supportive of my work and local art in general.

Creative Process & Influences

Can you walk us through your creative process, from concept to completion? 

I start by prepping my canvas with 2-3 layers of gesso for texture; the last layer is always black. I then draw out my pattern with white chalk. I hand-draw the shapes loosely and rarely follow a photo inspiration. It flows from my head, I guess. I then block in the flowers, followed by the leaves and then the background. I go back and add to each part 2-3 more times. It's a lengthy process as oil takes quite some time to dry between layers. Finally, I sign my work, varnish it, wire it, frame it, wrap it for delivery, or hang it in my studio. I then post it on Instagram and add it to my website. The list of non-creative activities is always long but necessary.

I guess I'm not the typical artist. I'm actually a pretty type-A person, organized and deliberate. I have a pretty good balance as an artist goes. I'm a total mess when I'm creating work—paint in the hair and on my face, tools and paints everywhere. On the other hand, my business background enables me to market and promote myself effectively. I have met many very talented artists over the years who could sell a great deal of amazing work with more effective marketing.

Have any pivotal moments or influences in your career shaped your work?

The people around me have really impacted my creative process. At the beginning of class, I was always encouraged to try new things and not worry about "painting ugly" to reach a new creative place. At home, my family has been so supportive since the very beginning. No matter how bad my initial work was, my family always told me it was amazing and to keep at it. This has given me the confidence to try new things and not worry too much about what other people will say. We can be our own worst critic. I have never once held onto a painting, even if I love it (except for that first pear). In theory, my work will continue to improve with practice, so why would I want to hold on to the past? Keep painting and keep moving forward.

Exhibitions & Galleries

What upcoming projects or exhibitions are you most excited about?

I am excited to be featured in a show at the O'Brien Gallery in Greensboro since March with local Charlotte artist Jenny Fuller. Next month, I will begin showing my art at Buzzulo Greene Gallery in Baltimore. I also really love participating in the Southend Charlotte Gallery Crawls at StudioWorks on the first Friday of every month. I love meeting the people in our community, discussing art, and showing them what I've been working on lately.

Looking back, what has been your most memorable exhibit or show, and why? 

Last summer, I was selected to participate in the Shain Gallery Emerging Artist show. I was selected as one of 30 artists in the Southeast and only one of two from Charlotte. For me, this was a "pinch me" moment as it was my first time showing work in a formal gallery opening. I felt grateful to be recognized for my talents and validated.

Are there any galleries currently showcasing your work, either in Charlotte or beyond? Do you sell through galleries, online, or directly to customers? 

I paint and show work at StudioWorks on East Boulevard. We are a community of 12 lovely and talented artists who paint together. Our studio and gallery is housed in a 100-year-old historic home in Dilworth. I also sell a lot of work to local customers and interior designers through Art House Charlotte. Additionally, my work can be found around town in Isabella and other local boutiques, such as the Buttercup. Lastly, I always have available work for sale online on my website - pattimooreart.com. 

Charlotte's Art Scene & Advice

What advice would you give to aspiring artists looking to establish themselves in the area?

I have had some success as an artist, but I am still learning every day and am continuing to develop my style and build my brand. You should not get discouraged and keep practicing. Paint as much as you can so you can figure out not only your strengths but also what sets you apart in our wonderfully active Charlotte artist community. Most importantly, paint what you love and what makes you feel good. Your joy will likely show in your work!

Website: PattiMooreArt.com

Instagram: @pattimooreart

Facebook: pattimoore

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