“It’s always harder for those left behind. I will talk, who will listen? Incomplete circle of joy.”
-From song entitled Rainbows; out Fall 2023
Patrice Richmond is an artist, songwriter, and producer with a focus on creating original music that blurs the lines between a wide range of genres. From the intimacy of indie-folk, down to the soothing smooth flavor of soul music, powerful lyrics match a rhythmically complex style. Although she is originally from Chicagoland, USA, Patrice is currently based in Asia, where she lives with her husband and four beloved children. The singer-songwriter has been making music for over 10 years now, and she continues to pursue her passion in a remote, high-altitude village in China. Her musical upbringing is incredibly diverse, and her music is catchy, yet very personal. As a vocalist and pianist, her style has often been compared to the likes of Carole King, Sara Groves, and John Legend. However, fans of upbeat pop and pop-folk artists such asJess Ray, Griff, Ingrid Michaelson, or Francis Moon will undoubtedly connect with this one!
In addition to her artistry and diverse creativity, Patrice stands out for her ability to connect and inspire people. To her, music is more than plain entertainment. It is an opportunity to share something and help people connect. Her lyrics are personal, often inspired by her experiences and feelings through life. This makes them all the more easy to relate to.
Currently, Patrice is working on a brand new album to be released sometime in the fall of 2023. This is going to be her second independently released debut album, and it is titled “Open the Door.” Her upcoming music is going to be a step forward in terms of production, highlighting the artist’s willingness to keep exploring new ideas and enrich her sound with different nuances.
Find out more about Patrice Richmond, and listen to her music:
Socials and Places to Listen to both folksy originals and hybrid-orchestrals:
My latest album release is in the works! Open the Door set to drop in November! The artwork, however, is here right now!!! I asked a dear friend if she would be willing to create the album cover for it and she did a wonderful, amazing thing. I asked if she would be willing to do a behind-the-scenes write-up for the piece. The Holy Spirit can and does work to reveal intent in art and speaks to us through it BUT it’s also pretty eye-opening to also hear from the artist. Please read on below for more information on this inspired piece.
Open the Door
encaustic, mixed media, gold foil on panel
14×14
2023
Natalie Salminen Rude
Commission for Patrice Richmond’s Open the Door album
Commissioned by artist, songwriter and producer Patrice Richmond to create the cover work for her new album Open the Door, I was amazed once again by the way in which the Holy Spirit truly weaves everything together for our good and His glory.
Besides the songs I would work from, Patrice also sent me beautiful photographs of the local landscape in China where she lives, works, and creates with her family. Also included were images of a current creative passion of hers – crochet. Her hope was that the album would reflect the stunning geography of her home as well as interweaving the knowledge that each small action that may seem insignificant on its own (like a single crochet stitch) can grow into something quite impactful and significant with time. Our small obediences have big impact if we stay faithful to the work we’ve been given.
With all of this in mind and heart, I began the creative process. With the photographs, melodies and lyrics being slowly illuminated, I began to follow the nudges and intuitions given to me by the Spirit. Here’s a look at how this painting came to fruition.
I chose a landscape photograph to become the backdrop for the album cover. This would speak to where Patrice lived and worked. When I heard the song “Open the Door” I immediately saw an open door as a central part of the imagery. As I dug into this a bit more I found myself reading in Ezekiel concerning the building of the new temple. I initially had found an image of a single, arched doorway. But as I read, I knew this door would need to be rectangular and double, as described in Ezekiel 41: 21 and verse 23. “The main hall had a rectangular doorframe, and the one at the front of the Most Holy Place was similar.” “Both the main hall and the Most Holy Place had double doors.” My direction was set. The invitation in the song is to “open the door” and receive the fullness of what a life entered in truly brings. There is nothing that hinders once we say yes to the call of Christ. We have immediate access to the Holy of Holies, the Most Holy Place, simply by opening the door. And here all the promises of God are yes and Amen!
From the song “Rainbows” I felt an overwhelming sense to include rainbow imagery – symbolizing God’s promises, kept. This rainbow imagery fit perfectly within the open doors, both visually and symbolically. We live inside God’s promises as we say “yes” to all of his invitations.
A figure of Patrice is here within the open doors, within the rainbow promises. She hold lilies, another powerful symbol of God’s promises. Traditionally used in paintings of the Annunciation, lilies are included with Mary and the angel as Mary receives God’s amazing promise: that she would conceive God’s son, the Messiah, through the power of the Holy Spirit. Her obedience opens the door. Lilies are also lavishly seen in the Psalms, Solomon’s love songs, as well as in the design of the tabernacle, found in places of prominence. The ancient and holy symbol of the lily speaks of tender obedience, the miraculous, and the particular, compassionate and generous nature of Jesus. Their strong fragrance reminds us that all of our senses were designed to lead us to the beauty of Christ.
The clouds above the doors and their reflection (some created with images of Patrice’s latest crochet work) is an atmospheric nod to “Chasing the Wind,” another beautiful song on the album that sing about our temptations towards fear and anxiety. Ultimately, it sings of our deliverance as we think on whatever is True. The song reminds us that to think on anything else and we are left “chasing the wind.” In the painting, rain is seen coming from the clouds as Patrice sings, “We have these rainbows of promises, they come though the rain won’t stop.” Yet within the clouds and incessant rain, here is the bright, clear, true sun. This True Son is rising, on the horizon. Now. Jesusis here. He is our primary focus and bright joy. Just as Patrice sings in “Open the Door,” the sun is indeed rising for all!
Here we go kids! Both the beginning and end of a long-time-coming project is starting….er ending…er starting???!!!! I’m super pleased to announce the launch of my new single “Rainbow”! Scheduled to be released this July! I wrote this song for and about a friend who was constantly having to say goodbye to close friends. Living overseas, we are often seeing new friends coming and old friends leaving. The last 5 years have been no exception, especially with the onset and continual regulations of Covid. While we are thankful those regulations have ceased, we still find ourselves without our close friends that have moved away and moved on. So how do we stay encouraged? How do we build and sustain community in an environment that is like a revolving door? There HAS to be something and SOMEONE else that enters in, sustains, and builds. And it certainly isn’t any of us! Below are the lyrics for this song and I hope to post some video previews as well. Above is the photo that I plan to use as inspiration for the cover. Enjoy and let me know what you think!!
