Jonathan Gavin-Patterson

BIO

Jonathan Gavin-Patterson is a painter based in Charleston, SC, originally from the North Shore of Massachusetts. His work explores the tension between geometry and nature, focusing on the marks humans leave on landscapes and how these structures shape our perception of place.

A proud veteran, Jonathan served as a UH-60 Blackhawk Crew Chief before earning a BFA in Painting from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. His military experience instilled a deep sense of resilience and observation, which informs his approach to art.

Jonathan’s paintings often begin as on-site studies, capturing the mood and atmosphere of a location. In the studio, he expands on these studies to create larger, more abstracted compositions that distill complex environments into essential shapes and colors. His work invites viewers to reflect on the interplay between natural beauty and human interference, evoking a sense of both stillness and disruption.

Jonathan’s evolving body of work is driven by a commitment to exploration and authenticity, with a focus on capturing overlooked moments and expanding his practice through new themes and techniques.

Artist Statement

"I paint the tension between geometry and nature—the way constructed forms interrupt organic landscapes. Bridges stretch across marshes, factories loom on distant horizons, and utility boxes sit in fields intended to be green spaces. These objects shift a scene from serene to desolate, transforming a picturesque view into something ambiguous and unsettling.

My work explores what we impose on the land—how these structures mark and transform our experience of place. I’m drawn to the contrast between hard lines and soft forms, between the natural and the imposed, reducing complex environments to essential shapes and colors.

Many of my paintings begin as on-site studies, capturing the fleeting mood of a place. In the studio, I expand on these studies, combining them with photographic references to create larger works that distill complex scenes into simplified compositions. In these spaces—where beauty meets decay, and stillness is interrupted—I find my subject."