North Gallery
Jacklyn Patterson
The American Society of Photographers Fellowship Portfolio
January 7 thru March 2, 2008
Jacklyn Patterson was a relative latecomer to the world of photography, not actually owning her first camera until she turned 38. As an art student at the University of Central Oklahoma, Patterson soon learned that as an artist the camera was a better tool for her than a paint brush as seen in her photography exhibit, The American Society of Photographers Fellowship Portfolio. “The sad fact was that I could not draw,” said Patterson.
Drawn into photography classes, Patterson had the good fortune to have been taught by UCO photography professor Woodie Gaddis, a man not only with a passion for photography, but a passion for teaching his students. During this time, she became inspired and began her journey into film and photography.
She’s gained a great deal of satisfaction by combining the two mediums but admits she cares nothing for nature, sunsets, or the grandeur of the great outdoors. “One day while feeling guilty for my lack of enthusiasm for getting up at dawn, I realized that I care only about photographing people, the objects they gather around them, and the structures they choose as dwelling places.”
Since then she’s more than made up for lost time, and holds the degrees of Master Photographer, Master Artist and Photographic Craftsman from the Professional Photographers of America as well as Fellow of The American Society of Photographers.
She has served as President of the Professional Photographers of Oklahoma and as President of the Southwest Professional Photographers, (Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Texas, and Oklahoma). A graduate of Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri, Patterson also earned a BA in Art from the University of Central Oklahoma. Patterson now owns a small studio in Wewoka and does custom portrait work, both in the studio and on location … work, she says, that is both creative and fulfilling.
She claims to have one foot in film and one foot in the digital world. “I’ve loved every day of my journey. Should it end sooner than I would like I will always be grateful for the gifts I have received, the people I have loved, and for discovering at the halfway point in my life, this great gift of photography.”
The North Gallery is located on the 1st floor of the State Capitol and open daily from 8:00-5:30.