Find the Greatness Within

One night while painting at a bar called Sully’s here in Louisville a man who I thought was homeless approached me and said "Are you an artist?"  I replied with a laugh "some people think so." As this man stood over my right shoulder, he told me I needed to go to the Ali Center tomorrow morning by 10:30 am. He said that an artist named Simon Bull will be opening a show and there is a good chance the Champ will be there; "He is getting older and you should meet him."  I said "thanks buddy" and turned around to paint. He said "hey I am serious -- you need to go there by 10:30 am."  I turned around and noticed how red is eyes were -- I assume from drinking. I said thanks have a good night and went back to painting.

The next morning I was at my gym working out. I just finished a set when I noticed the clock said 9:45. At that moment the man's red eye popped into the center of my head. I thought "I should go to the Ali Center."

I went home, cleaned up a little, and went to the center. As I got closer to the center I remember being nervous that I was not going to get there by 10:30 like this man had said. Sure enough I arrived there at 10:45. I asked a woman if it would be OK for me to hang out and draw in the lobby.  She said sure. I grabbed a table outside the café and started to draw. Soon a man named Cash and I started talking. He was waiting to present the Center with a bronze bust of the champ. I began telling him my story about how I have been on an unbelievable journey. I remember thinking this guy was looking at me like I was nuts… but we exchanged business cards.

About 15 minutes later Lonnie Ali walked right up to me. I introduced myself and she asked me what I was doing. I explained my journey and she grabbed a woman named Jeanie and said please take Patrick up to meet Muhammad right away (see photos).

As I was explaining my story again to Jeanie she told me I was being called to something. We rush to the elevator and I remember turning back to this man named Cash and yelling across the lobby "hey Cash… see what I mean!!"  He replied, "call me!"  Jeannie whisked me past 50 people who were waiting to get a glimpse of/ meet Muhammad. She introduced me and sat me down to the right of Muhammad. I remember him looking at me as I put my hand on his right hand and I told him how I found out I was an artist ... found in a bar etc … and now I am here talking with you.

When I finished talking with Muhammad people were taking pictures. Then a group of executives from Park West Gallery lined up to get their picture with Muhammad. Somebody pushed me back into the picture. So it's funny this huge gallery is wondering how the hell this guy got into their picture. Simon Bull came over and introduced himself. He looked at my work and said I was very talented... great story, etc. People started giving me their business cards.

I went downstairs and told Lonnie "the rest of my week was ruined!!"  She became concerned and asked what went wrong??  I said "nothing -- that was a tremendous experience and the rest of the week is going down hill from here."

Just then she said somebody is calling you... I turned around and a film crew wants me to go upstairs to answer some questions about Simon Bull’s work, Muhammad Ali and to tell my story. I rush upstairs and I went right to Simon Bull and said "Simon are you ok with this??? This is your show opening not mine?" He said "Pat its fine just go with it."  I replied "are you sure??"  He said "Genius -- just sitting in the lobby where somebody like Lonnie Ali sees your work -- genius!"  "Pat this is your shot RIGHT NOW GO WITH IT!" I turned to him and asked "Anything in my teeth???? Lets go!!" As we were waiting for the cameras to get rolling I told Simon my favorite joke. My 70 year old Irish mother called me today with this joke… What two things in the air can get a woman pregnant??? He thought and said I don’t know… Answer: "her feet!!!"

They asked me questions about my feelings on Simon's work, Muhammad Ali Center, then at one point Simon grabbed my sketch pad and held it up to his work. He talked about how it was similar to his in color lines, etc. I remember he made a comment about how good the signature was etc. After we were done filming they said I will be on 85 cruise ships around the world. I walk away thinking this has been the coolest day.

I went back downstairs and Anthony Henderson (assistant to the CEO of the Center) was sitting at the table where I was drawing. We started talking about the center. He mentioned how they had just talked about giving a studio at the Center to an artist for a residency. I went out to my car to get my ink portfolio to show Anthony. When we finished our conversation we left it that I would hear from him. From October 1st 2008 to September 30th 2009 I will be the first resident artist of the Muhammad Ali Center. I will be painting the 10 Most Inspirational Women in Louisville. The show will be unveiled the week of the 2009 Kentucky Derby at a star studded party.

NEVER EVER forget that you don’t know what tomorrow brings. Everybody has greatness within themselves -- EVERYBODY!!

Press Release: Ali Center Offers Artist a Year of Inspiration!