My Name Is… Patrick Maxcy of Golden

The small-town vibeI’ve lived in Golden for one year and Colorado for three years. I had frequent art jobs that required travel out here and I had some friends living here. I fell in love with the scenery, the hiking and the mountains.I grew up in a small town in Florida, so I connected with Golden’s small-town vibe. I hike at least once a week, so I love being close to the mountains.The need to createI’ve done art my entire life — ever since I was a kid. I used to draw T-shirt designs when I was 6 and 7 years old, and I just kept pushing my art all the way through high school, college and as an adult. I can’t sit in an office — I have to create or draw.I mainly draw and paint animals and creatures. They have innocence about them. There’s a wide variety of creatures in the world, and it’s fun to mix their characteristics in odd environments.Imagined Wall FestivalI’m currently doing a mural for the Imagined Wall Festival in Littleton. There’s about 12 other artists also doing murals for the festival. On Saturday (Sept. 19), there will be booths and food, and people can come to the festival and vote on their favorite mural.Never give up on childhood dreamsI do art full time — showing in galleries and traveling to paint murals. I’m currently in seven galleries across the U.S. I work with nonprofits and travel at least once a month. I’ve done murals all over the U.S., Africa and Central America. I do murals in impoverished or low-income areas, and work with the kids in the communities.I used to be a high school art teacher in Florida. I teach an afterschool art class in Ken Caryl part time. It’s mainly second and third graders, but I do a middle school program as well.I like to inspire kids so they know they don’t have to give up on their childhood dreams.

Written by Christy Steadman. If you have suggestions for My Name Is . . ., contact her at csteadman@coloradocommunitymedia.com.