Patty Bowman Kingsley, It’s the Artist Not the Art

by Jonathan van Bilsen

Many people are fortunate to be blessed with artistic talents, but seldom do individuals emerge, who have an ability to turn that talent into a profitable career. Such is the case with Patty Bowman Kingsley, a woman who has taken the turmoil life has thrown at her, and turned it into a very self-satisfying existence.

Born in Edmonton, Patty, along with her three siblings and parents, moved to Ajax, where her father took a position with Lasco Steel. The family was used to travelling, as her parents owned and drove a 35 foot diesel pusher bus. Having no idea what that was, Patty explained it was similar to a Winnebago, and they made their way around North America in it, several times.

During Patty’s high school years, at O’Neill Collegiate, she worked part-time in the family book store, located next to the Automotive Museum, in Oshawa.

At the age of 16, Patty’s entrepreneurial side surfaced, and she started a company, simply called, ‘The Gallery’. Initially, she began framing her own art, but many recognized her talents and she began to frame other people’s works.

Patty’s mother, a nurse by profession, was an avid pianist, and this is where Patty picked up her love of piano and guitar. She also enjoyed drawing, and evidently had talent, for she won her first competition.

“I had always wanted to be a physical education teacher, but an ankle injury, in grade 13, put an end to that dream. Instead, she did a stint in retail which confirmed her talent for framing. When she was twenty, she pursued her passion and enrolled in the Ontario College of Art and Design (OCAD).

She had heard Jim Bishop, the former General Manager of the Detroit Red Wings, had opened several framing shops in the area, and she applied for a position. It was not long before her talents were realized, and she started full time at Bishop’s ‘Picture This’ outlet, in Whitby.

Being the entrepreneur she was, Patty took the location from a single floor store to a four level outlet, and she was only 21. Art was in her blood, and she taught privately, to several well-known patrons. Her out going nature and desire to teach and help people led her friends to suggest she run for public office. The position of school trustee was a perfect fit, and after a well-run campaign, Patty was elected. She remained in that post for 12 years.

Her artistic talents lead her to start a career in visual merchandising, and she designed hundreds of store windows, from Ottawa to Kingston to Peterborough. Her name became a household word, for anyone wanting to be involved in a tradeshow. Patty ran for mayor in Whitby, and although she did not win the election, her notoriety came to the attention of the organizers of the largest retail development in Havana, Cuba, since the revolution. She was asked to head to Cuba, and oversee the operation.

Upon her return, she took a position, heading merchandising for Marks and Spencer, until their demise in Canada. She moved to Clarington and began to market herself in the world of art, from a benevolent perspective. Patty opened and administered the charitable department for ACT Canada. She resently resigned from that position, after nearly ten years, to operate her own art charity.

“My love for giving back to the community really hit home in 1993, when I spent time in Uganda, as part of an outreach program.” Patty explained.

Her organization helps those in need through the use of art. Any art she creates she sells to organizations, individuals or groups, with a portion of the sales going to charities of choice. It became evident to me, her work is sought after, and her talent is in high demand.

“My focus is on building a community for artists, through support from organizations, such as churches, etc.” Patty explained how art itself is respected and valued, but the artist seldom receives the proper compensation for their work. She is trying to change this; in other words, putting a value on the artist, not the art.

If you have an opportunity to view Patty Bowman Kingsley’s work or commission her to create live art at an event, I would recommend you step up to the task. You will not be disappointed. Her website is pattykingsley.com

Jonathan van Bilsen is a television host, award-winning photographer, published author, columnist and keynote speaker. His show, ‘The Jonathan van Bilsen Show’, on RogersTV, the Standard Website or YouTube, features many of the people included in this column.