Patrick Parise began studying printmaking at the University of South Carolina more than 50 years ago.

He fell in love with the art form as soon as he finished his first print and realized that was how he wanted to spend his life. 

The month marked a milestone for him. He displayed pieces created throughout his life at Stormwater Studios to a crowd that included art lovers, supporters and old friends. 

The idea was to represent his entire body of work and allow others to examine a wide range of mediums and techniques. 

One attendee, Mike Shaw, said Parise has a lot of varied artwork, from abstract to geometric. 

“It’s very liberating to see that he goes in every direction,” Shaw said. 

Parise was told as a university student by art professors to only get good at one thing and to gain notoriety through that. But he rejected this idea, deciding it would waste his talents to limit yhimself. 

“Life is kind of that way, just take your opportunities and you run with them,” Parise said.

Parise was committed to his craft when he was young, despite not knowing what the future would hold. He knew what he loved and was determined to make it work. 

“As an artist, you don’t stop creating, you just don’t,” Parise said. “Life is too short to not do anything you can.” 

He attributes much of his success and his positive attitude about art to how much support he has experienced over the years from his wife, family and clients. His mother was a painter, and his wife Sandi’s parents were also involved in the arts. 

Sandi herself is a family law attorney in Columbia with an office that showcases his paintings on every available wall space. 

Lindsey Price, who works at Parise & Noë law firm, said she finds Sandi’s unwavering support for her husband’s work endearing. She was inspired to stop by the exhibition to share with Parise how much she appreciates seeing his art every day at work instead of blank walls. 

“I would love one day to create pieces like this myself, something as beautiful as he does,” Price said.

Many in the greater Columbia community of creatives also came out to support Parise and his accomplishments. That included fellow artist at Stormwater Studios Stephen Chesley and Richard Durlach, a dance historian and instructor. 

The genuine passion and appreciation for art in its many forms is evident in Parise’s exhibit, even though he said there’s always more to understand and learn. 

“It’s not what I do. It’s who I am,” he said.