With the support of his family, Pat Shea began painting in oils at the age of 16. Born and raised in Kingston, Ontario, Canada, he was taught by B.J. Terry at Kingston Collegiate and Vocational Institute. More recently he learned the art of sculpture from Trevor Bates.

He has described his work as "modern Traditionalist" and has been inspired by trips to the Canadian North, Ireland, England, Brussels, and Paris. He is most influenced by Canadian and European Impressionists. Asked to describe his motivation, Pat says "I paint for the mind's eye."

Pat Shea is an international artist with works in private and corporate collections in Belfast, Boston, London, Mexico, New York, Ottawa, Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver.

He has received favourable reviews from a number of sources, some of which are quoted below:

"He is a true Canadian artist."
"He has very strong compositions ... the colours and clarity of his paintings are truly Canadian..."
Art By the Bay Art show organizer
Belleville

"There is nothing repetitive about Shea's paintings. Richly-toned landscapes, a scene from Wasaga Beach and Street Performers are vibrantly captured by the stroke of Shea's paint brush."
Pam Dillon
Kingston This Week

"....the trip to Europe (in 1991) allowed Pat to experience some of art's most treasured works...all served as pieces in the mosaic that resulted in the critically-acclaimed works that emerged from his brush."
The Conductor (Northern Telecom Paper)
by Randy Traynor

"...I'm very pleased ...he's done a remarkable job of capturing my likeness. Pat Shea has restarted a long lost tradition in our historic city."
Kingston, Ontario Mayor Gary Bennett
Unveiling of the Mayor's portrait at City Hall

"...he returned from that exhibition (the Toronto Indoor Art Show) with an award for Best Artist in Oil Painting Medium, a very important milestone in his art."
Jennifer O'Neil, The Umbrella
Quinte Arts Council Newspaper