+6 Pyrography – Alabama Burning
There Are Moments in Time That Alter Your Future and Correct the Course
Once a lost art, pyrography reignited the flame Patrick Tucker, the artist behind Alabama Burning, needed to find his passion in life.
One thing remains true when living out your life’s story; there are moments in time that alter your future and correct the course – a catalyst that creates your next purpose and offering to the world. This is true of the story that created the artist in Patrick Tucker. Patrick, the artist behind Alabama Burning, creates unique wood burning pieces, known as pyrography.
Patrick was born and raised in Fairhope, Alabama, and lived his childhood with either a fishing pole, drawing pencil, or paintbrush in hand. Along with his parents, his grandparents were constant cheerleaders for Patrick’s art passion, as they also shared a love for creating. His maternal grandmother painted and honed the crafts of woodworking and wood burning, while art created by his paternal grandparents line their home.
The Catalyst Behind Alabama Burning
Patrick enjoyed art throughout school but became disinterested after graduating. Eight years passed without picking up a brush or pencil. Insert catalyst. “Once I found out I was going to be a father, I made a promise to myself to do what I love and never look back,” Patrick says while recalling the moment that corrected his life’s course. He started working at a local art store and found himself rediscovering his passion. He noticed a wood burning kit for sale at the store and began learning the art of pyrography. “Once I had my son, I promised myself I wasn’t going to do something I didn’t love every day,” says Patrick. “I never looked back, and now I am obsessed with creating.”
The Art of Pyrography
The art of pyrography uses guided heat as a medium to form burnings on wood, often using unconventional tools to create the burn marks. Patrick discovers innovative ways to create his pieces, even finding himself in local home goods stores to source the perfect “tool.” “I use metal spatulas to guide the torch, bar keys, forks to create spikes, and drimmel tools to form negative carvings,” says Patrick. “There are endless opportunities to what you can create with kitchen utensils.”
After five years, Patrick’s art business, Alabama Burning, is adorning the walls of local businesses, homes, and art galleries. As a native to the Gulf Coast, he draws inspiration from his love of coastal fishing and marine life. He says, “since growing up by the water, I have always been fascinated with what is under the surface.” Patrick enjoys creating the sea life he grew up fishing- inshore species such as speckled trout, red fish, and flounder and received a commission to create dozens of fish trophies for a Florida spearfishing tournament.
Once a lost art, pyrography reignited the flame Patrick Tucker needed to find his passion in life. He says, “I count my lucky stars every single day because I have found something I am absolutely passionate about.” You can find Patrick enjoying his coastal lifestyle with his family, working hard to grow his business, and dreaming about one day creating a large mural of underwater life. His pieces are available for purchase through his social media and website, as well as through requests for commission.
Instagram: @alabamaburning
Facbeook: @PatrickTuckerArtist
Website: http://alabamaburning.com
