About the Artist

Patrick Napier was born on an island off the Carolinas. At the early age of eight, he was accidentally shot in the head while playing with two friends. The bullet passed through the left temple at a downward angle, to the junction of the brain and spinal column. He was in a coma for 17 days, paralyzed on the left, his dominant side. Upon awakening, he could neither walk, talk, nor swallow. Furthermore, he had no speech ability and no memory of the accident. It was as if he had just been born.

After a time, it was discovered that he could only learn by repeating what he saw. As a matter of fact, he had total recall using this method.

His Inspiration

He was subsequently sent to a boarding school in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. There was a teacher, of Indian descent, Mrs. Pierce, who noticed his unusual drawing ability. She encouraged him in every way.

He was there until he was 13, all the time laboring under the assumption that all his friends could draw if they wanted. He didn't realize, he was endowed with a special gift.

In 1972, at the age of 39, his next-door neighbor, George (Pappy) Lemons, who was a cartoonist for Peterson Publishing, saw Patrick's pencil drawing, and introduced him to the use of a brush for ink drawings. Within two years,he had surpassed even George's ability to use the brush.

His Gift

From that time on, he produced - as a hobby - artwork whose splendor excited even him. At times, he would glance up from his work wondering whose hand had drawn that picture. He worked long hours into the night, forgetting that the world outside of his brush and pen existed.

Gift of Art

After compiling many pieces of art, at the rate of 2 or 3 a year, people suggested that he present the pieces for the enjoyment of others. After long consideration, and a fear of rejection, he ultimately decided to offer his talent to the public. In doing so, he hopes to give you the pleasure which he encountered in the process of their creation

He is now over 75 years old, or as he says "The prime of his life". He signs his paintings "Patrick L. Napier".