Rumford native Patrick Hurley creates his fine-line ink drawings wherever he goes, whether he’s living in Rumford or Ogunquit, Maine, or in Southeast Asia, where he’s lived for several months each year for the past 20-plus years. While he was in Penang, Malaysia, he started drawing as a journaling habit, which led to him filling out many sketchbooks and improving his craft.

In past years, Hurley has been accepted twice into juried art shows at Ogunquit’s Barn Gallery, and in Malaysia, he’s participated in two art shows. In Penang he also sells his artwork at a popular arts market and creates commissioned work for his clients.

Currently, he’s living in Rumford and “having a great time producing work and selling prints of this labor of love,” he writes in answer to our questions.

When did you first start creating your drawings and have you taken art classes or other training? I took art class every year in high school (Rumford High School Class of 1974, currently Mountain Valley High School) and spent all my free time in the art room. Miss (Chris) Wing was just starting at RHS and I was lucky to have such a supportive and approachable teacher. Next, I went on to major in art at the University of Maine Portland-Gorham (now the University of Southern Maine) later switching to elementary education.

My art interest was mostly crafts, and wheel-thrown pottery was my favorite. While living in Santa Fe in the ’90s, I threw many pots and took classes at Santa Fe Clay.

About 25 years ago I started having winters off from waiting tables and wound up wintering in Thailand and now Malaysia. I started drawing in place of taking photos and it became a journaling device. That continual practice along with valuable advice from talented artist friends has made all the difference.

What is it about drawing buildings and the people around them that appeal to you? When you take buildings and add people it becomes familiar like a neighborhood. When something is familiar it is easier to relate to and that’s a big goal in art. Also my craving to do details is usually satisfied drawing buildings.

What is Penang, Malaysia, like and why do you live there for several months each year? People say I’ve seen so much of the world because I travel a lot. Actually I go and stay at the same place year after year. For many years it was Thailand, but then I ventured into the next country south and hit upon Penang. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage place for its amazing Colonial architecture and is a hub for a lot of folks from away traveling or retiring. It was an English colony and that is the No. 1 language. As a foreigner that helps so much, but best of all the people are very accepting and interested in people from away.

Do you often draw from historical photos, as you did in your recent drawing of Congress Street, Rumford in 1961, or is your work more from the present? The 1961 drawing of Congress Street was the first time I ever drew something from the past. I’ve been tossing the idea around for a while, and when I saw this photo on Facebook I knew this was the one to draw. I’m going to draw more of Rumford’s past and am now working on one of the footbridge, with workers coming across and Oxford Paper Mill (currently ND Paper) in the background.

In March you wrote on your Facebook page that you detoxed from an addiction to alcohol and barbiturates a year ago. Why did you write that it was “the best and most difficult thing” you’ve done in your life? Coming off my addiction to alcohol and barbiturates saved my life. Living with depression and anxiety most of my life, these crutches had become my short-term way out of it. But it only got me into a darker place. Through hospitalization when I was ready I came out of that dark hole.

An interest and love of life and myself came back to me big time. Lots of positive energy has come from this and one way to use that energy is to return to drawing.

It wasn’t until this year that I’ve truly wanted to practice my art here at home (in Rumford). That all changed when I admitted to an addiction to alcohol and barbiturates and sought help. I’ve come through very well thanks to hard work and great loving support from family and friends.

Now I’m having a great time producing work and selling prints of this labor of love. It’s a nice feeling having my art shared and appreciated by others. I hope you enjoy it and please look closely, as I love getting in the details.

Hurley can be contacted by email at pathurleyart@gmail.com.

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