Check out Patrick O’Brien’s Artwork

Today we’d like to introduce you to Patrick O’Brien.

Patrick, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
After being let go from a job I worked hard to get and was very dedicated to, I started Reilluminated in May of 2017 out of necessity. With my love of photography and my experience of being an electrician, I married the two and Reilluminated Vintage Camera Lamps was ignited. All my Vintage Camera and Artistic Lamps are customized and created by me, Patrick Michael O’Brien. I’m inspired by many things in this world, but I really enjoy reusing and repurposing items that are often forgotten and are sitting around collecting dust. Reborn with a functional purpose, these cameras have become beautiful nostalgic pieces of art. Reilluminated Lamps have almost a “magical” feature: a touch on/off that is also dimmable.

Reilluminated Vintage Camera Lamps has developed into much more than just a necessity. After seeing people react with surprise, love, and amazement, I have been inspired by a bright desire to continue to create these amazing timeless pieces.

We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
So I use old vintage and antique items like Cameras, Projectors, Fans, Tonka Trucks and even Gumball Machine and turn them into touch lamps. Just touch either the metal under the awesome timeless Edison Bulb or a lot of Reilluminated Lamps can be turned on/off and dimmed by touching any metal on the on the Lamp. I use all new electrical parts, but some of them like the cord and plug are made to look vintage. Each piece of functional art I make is built to last and blow minds for years, just may need a new bulb or two.
I love to be inspired by your past and the things that helped create the future. Many of the things I repurpose have been tossed in a box and left to rot in a closest, attic or basement for longer than is was used. Giving these forgotten treasures a new life and the joy, I see it bring to people is the most rewarding thing I’ve ever been able to experience.

The sterotype of a starving artist scares away many potentially talented artists from pursuing art – any advice or thoughts about how to deal with the financial concerns an aspiring artist might be concerned about?
This is the hardest part of being an artist and why I didn’t do this sooner in my life. I would say to anyone that is Going thru this right now, no matter when in take the step to comment fully to your art as an income, it will be the hardest and at times worst thing ever. But it’s worth it at the end and if the end can come sooner than do it now.

Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
I have a website www.reilluminatedlamps.com, this usually will have 70-90% of my inventory at any giving time, but if you don’t see something there I may be working on it or it’s not of the website yet. Instagram and Facebook are a great place to see most of what I have done past and present, @reilluminated and Reilluminated. If your able to see my Touch Lamps in person I have a section in the Scottsdale Fashion Square @ Open Mind Emporium 3rd Floor. Any time other than Summer I be set up at First Friday Art walk in PHX every first Friday of the month. All so the Tempe 6th Street Market every Sunday is another chance to see, Touch and really appreciate my beautiful one of a kind works of functional art. 

Contact Info:

• Website: www.reilluminatedlamps.com
• Phone: 6026267104
• Email: reilluminatedlamps@gmail.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/reilluminated
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/reilluminated

Image Credit:
Patrick O’Brien

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