The following information was submitted in September of 2006 by John Cope:

Already as a young boy, growing up in Canada, Neil Patterson wanted to become an oil painter. A painting by artist Tom Thomson sparked his interest, and after receiving his first oil paints at age thirteen, he created his first work on a canvas combine belt from his father's farm.

Patterson then studied art at the University of Calgary, and the Scottsdale Artists' School. He believes that color is the essence of painting, and he uses an impressionist palette for his landscape and floral paintings, painted in his studio or "en plain air".

In 1992, his work was featured in the Premier National Juried Exhibition of Traditional Oils, Oil Painters of America (OPA) at Prince Galleries, Chicago. In 1995, he was the first Canadian to become a signature member in the OPA, and in March 2000 he was awarded the status of Master Signature Member, becoming the 34th painter in this group. Patterson serves as a member of the board of directors of the OPA. He has juried both regional and national shows for the OPA and has served as OPA juror of awards in Springville, Utah.

In 1993, Neil was elected to the Salmagundi Club of New York (1871). He has numerous awards to his credit, and has been published in many books, newspapers and monthly periodicals. Neil's work has been exhibited in galleries across North America, in seven provinces and seventeen states.

Selected Exhibitions:
2001
Juror of Awards OPA Exhibition Springville Utah
OPA National Exhibition Palm Desert CA
CM Russell Auction and Quik Draw Great Falls MT
OPA Exhibition Springville Utah
2000
OPA National Exhibition Carmel CA
Aims for Art Vancouver BC
Exhibition Federation of Canadian Artists Vancouver BC
CM Russell Auction and Quik Draw Great Falls MT
Calgary Stampede Art Auction Calgary AB
CM Russell Invitational Small Works Great Falls MT
1999
CM Russell Invitational Great Falls MT
Calgary Stampede Auction Calgary AB
Top "100" Arts for the Parks Jackson WY
CM Russell Auction Great Falls MT
Plein Air Invitational Competition Carmel CA
1998
CM Russell Invitational Small Works Great Falls MT
Calgary Stampede Auction Calgary AB
Top "200" Arts for the Parks Jackson WY
OPA National Exhibition Washington DC
CM Russell Auction Great Falls MT
Art Lotto Glenbow Museum Calgary AB
Solo Exhibition Canada House Banff AB
Salmagundi Auction New York NY
Federation of Canadian Artists Signature Exhibition Vancouver BC
Group Exhibition Whistler BC
Group Exhibition Tutt Street Gallery Kelowna BC
1997 Strawberry Tea and Flower Show Tutt Street Gallery Kelowna BC
CM Russell Invitational Small Works Great Falls MT
Calgary Stampede Auction Calgary AB
Hillcrest International Exhibition Hillcrest Art Center Cambria CA
Top "200" Arts for the Parks Jackson WY
OPA National Exhibition Taos NM
CM Russell Auction and Quik Draw Great Falls MT
Solo Exhibition Masters Gallery Calgary AB
Art Lotto Glenbow Museum Calgary AB
1996
Top "200" Arts for the Parks Jackson WY
Solo Exhibition Masters Gallery Calgary AB
CM Russell Invitational Small Works Great Falls MT
Summer Exhibition Hammond Galleries Landcaster OH
1995
Top "100" Arts for the Parks Jackson WY
Solo Exhibition Masters Gallery Calgary AB
Solo Exhibition Medicine Hat Museum and Gallery Medicine Hat AB
OPA Fourth National Exhibition San Antonio TX
CM Russell Auction and Quik Draw Great Falls MT
1994
Summer Exhibition Salmagundi Club New York NY
OPA Third National Exhibition Gallery at Long Grove, Long Grove IL
CM Russell Auction and Quik Draw Great Falls MT
The Best and the Brightest: Our 2nd Decade Juried Show Scottsdale Artists' School Scottsdale AZ
1993
Sixth Juried Non-member Show Salmagundi Club New York NY
Scottsdale Artists' School "Strokes of Genius 93" Scottsdale AZ
Solo Exhibition Masters Gallery Calgary AB
1992
Honorable Mention FCA Juried Show Vancouver BC
FCA Annual Exhibition Oil & Acrylics Vancouver BC
OPA Premier National Exhibition Prince Galleries Chicago IL
Scottsdale Artists' School "Strokes of Genius 92" Scottsdale AZ
1991
Robert Genn Award FCA Winter Show Vancouver BC
Second Place Award Fish Creek Show Calgary AB
1990
ASA Show Gulf Canada Gallery Calgary AB
IBM Canadian Area Conference Gallery Exhibition Banff AB
ASA "State of the Arts" Exhibition Triangle Gallery Calgary AB
Alberta College of Art Alumni Show Calgary AB
"Sunshine Art" Exhibition Whyte Museum Banff AB
1989
ASA "State of the Arts" Exhibition Beaver House Gallery Edmonton AB
"Sunshine Art" Purchase Award Whyte Museum Banff AB
1888 Calgary Winter Olympics - supplied gifts of original art for dignitaries and officials
"Sunshine Art" Purchase Award Whyte Museum Banff AB
ASA Group Show Calgary AB
1987
Solo Exhibition Wallace Gallery Calgary AB
"Sunshine Art" Purchase Award Banff School of Fine Arts Banff AB
1985
ASA Juried Show Calgary & Edmonton AB
1984
Membership Alberta Society of Artists, Juried
Awards:
2000 Master Signature Member Oil Painter of America
1991 Finalist The Artist's Magazine Landscape Competition
Robert Genn Award Winter Show FCA Vancouver BC
Second Place Award Fish Creek Calgary AB
1989 Purchase Award Sunshine Village Banff AB
1988-87 Purchase Award Sunshine Village Banff AB

Professional Affiliations:
Salmagundi Club New York NY; Oil Painters of America (OPA); Alberta Society of Artists (ASA); Federation of Canadian Artists (FCA)

Published:
2000 CFCN TV Calgary AB
1999 International Artist Magazine Australia
1995 The Best of Flower Painting North Light Books Cincinnati OH
1993 Access Network
1991 The Artist's Magazine December
1990 Signature Magazine Cover Edmonton AB
Atco Enterprises Ltd Christmas Card
1985 CFCN TV Calgary AB
CTV Network News
1982 The Calgary Herald Calgary AB
1975 The History of Ceramics in Alberta
Mountaineer Rocky Mountain House AB
Red Deer Advocate Red Deer AB
1973 Tactile Magazine March/April
1962 Observer Magazine

His work is in many public and private collections, in Canada and the U.S.

Source: neilpatterson.com