Hello! I’m Patty McGuire, Pattymac for short — full-time artist (photographer, knitwear designer, maker, cook) dog enthusiast, and teacher.
I live in sunny Virginia Beach, Virginia which is also my hometown (At one point, I spent 7 years in the mountains outside of Charlottesville, but missed living near the water.)
What’s up with all the knitting?
I knit because it makes me feel happy, hopeful, and alive. It makes me feel more connected to the natural world and has given me incredible appreciation for all things handmade.
I would love for you to feel the same sense of connectedness to our beautiful, natural world and the pride of accomplishment that can come only from doing it yourself.
Everything I create — from knitting patterns to finished knits and photography— is designed to make you feel GOOD, to remind you that you’re allowed to be happy and to inspire you to live your best, most authentic life. I want to remind you that you’re allowed to feel good. That’s it. You are allowed to be happy and to feel good. The world needs more happy and contented people! Look at it this way.
It’s not just about knitting. It’s about making the world a better place.
What Inspires Me?
When you’re happy with yourself, you stop fighting with the world. You create your own oasis of peace and love.
- You begin to let yourself dream again. Remember daydreaming? Time to take up that practice again.
- You begin to feel more confidence in trying new things. YES becomes a way of life.
- When you feel good, you lift the vibration all around you . This in turn lifts those around you. They eventually begin to say YES to their lives as well.
We’re not just knitting here. We’re changing the world one stitch at a time.
More Facts and Figures About Me:
- I am 100% self-taught in pattern design and in photography (though I have amazing mentors) — I’ve suffered through numerous “real grown-up jobs” and I never, ever want to do that to myself again.
- I started my career by exhibiting in juried art shows when I was 26 — shooting black and white photography. I had my own darkroom at home and pulled all my prints in chemical trays printing images on French produced Fiber based photographic paper. My last exhibition was in 2000 and featured my images from Prague.
- I have an undergraduate degree in Business with a concentration in accounting and a minor in American Lit. Let’s just say that was not my dream and I’ve never enjoyed any of that. I’ve returned to school and taken a few dozen credit hours in art and art studies, but not enough to earn an official degree in Art.
- I love living in Virginia Beach. It’s a pretty relaxed life style and we have agreeable weather most of the year. I have a Golden Retriever named Willie who has his own blog. I also have a very large cat and look after my mom.
- I love to walk and bike ride. As soon as the tourists go home, I love to go down and enjoy our beautiful Boardwalk on the Oceanfront.
- I do not understand the current fascination with zombies and don’t watch anything scary or morbid.
- I think (no, I know) you are awesome! And if you’re thinking about quitting, downshifting or giving up on your dream … don’t do it. Trust me on this.
Insider Information
- I believe in supporting handmade artisans, and I actively promote Made in America style products. I prefer to buy my materials from other small craft artists.
- I’m all about buying local and partnering with local business owners and artists. I’m really open to trading services, so don’t be shy about asking.
- I adore gardening and excel in growing herbs and flowers.
- I really LOVE cooking, especially baking. I have developed my own unique chocolate chip cookie recipe that I serve with my own vanilla ice cream.
- I started in film, and I strive to have that same kind of look and feel in my digital photography. In fact, I recently dug my medium format film camera out of the closet and decided to start using it again alongside my digital equipment. It’s called Hybrid Photography.
- My idea of a perfect day is a visit to the Chrysler Museum of Art and a late lunch in Ghent.
- If you can’t tell by now, I’m pretty crazy about the Harry Potter universe. I have made several pieces inspired by the films and books and am getting them all down on paper. I’ve had so much fun making and wearing them, and I want to share all that Hogwarts love with the world!
In dreams, we enter a world that’s entirely our own.
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, 2004, spoken by the character Albus Dumbledore