Patricia Knight is a professional photographer based in Joshua Tree, CA. Native to California, Patricia grew up in Orange County. She moved to the desert in 1995 to raise her daughter as a widowed mother. Trained through the New York Institute of Photography and Fashion Institute of Design (FIDM), her love for interior/digital/media arts grew. These interests–visual media and nature–came together for her and she carries out her passion with visits to Joshua Tree National Park.
With the Joshua Tree National Park being her playground and muse, Patricia is currently working on documenting the unique Joshua trees she adores. She plans to publish a book documenting the beauty of night photography in the park as a means of preserving the deserts dark and mysterious skies.
For fun, Patricia loves taking road trips and camping in the great outdoors with her family. Throw in some organic gardening, fixing up her vehicle, cooking from scratch and hiking in Joshua Tree National Park — her days are pretty complete.
The artist is conscious of something beside the mere physical in every object in nature. He feels its expression, he sympathizes with its character, he is impressed with its language; his heart, mind, and soul are stirred in its contemplation. -Albert Sands Southworth
Unending blue skies outline the tops of rock sculptures carved out the earth eons ago, and shallow rooted Joshua trees stretch out their spiny limbs in every direction. When the conditions are just right, they will yield a sweet smelling white bloom, releasing the seeds of future generations of Joshua trees. Hues of orange, pink, and blue create a beautiful canvas amongst the mountains, which then gives birth to some of the most beautiful sunrises and sunsets unique to the desert. In that very moment, my camera becomes my guide and I’m a curious passenger awaiting discovery. The desert is much more than an arid, barren wasteland; and while my work explores the beauty of the desert landscape, my goal is to allow what I create through the viewfinder not only become real to me but to you as well.
While my camera and lenses are the tools of my creative trade — the real magic happens in my digital darkroom. Color is a powerful element in triggering an emotional response, a place where that I can bring out the colors of the desert and bring to fruition the piece of work I envisioned in my mind — long before capturing the image.
My inspiration comes from nature, as it is my muse. It reminds me to slow down. Standing amongst the open quietness of the desert, I able to listen to my inner voice that all too often becomes muted when life pulls me in so many directions. With each photograph, the natural elements of color, shape, and motion begin to stir deeper feelings. Time stops, and in that moment I am not only a mother, wife, teacher, and photographer — I am free. With my camera in hand, there are no limits and I become lost in its physical meditation. The desert is freedom; peaceful, spiritual and healing all at the same time.
December 2013 – Joshua Tree Art Gallery
Super Moon – Cholla Cactus Garden, gallery wrapped canvas, Third Place Best in Show