In Loving Memory of Patrick O'Rourke

My husband and I chose a beautiful wine country painting by Patrick several years ago. We decided to purchase it when we were at the end of our vacation . When we returned to the gallery about a week later, the piece we wanted had sold. By chance, Patrick was at the gallery that day. He asked us to describe the painting we liked and said he would paint what we described! We made a deposit and several weeks later were told the painting was ready! It has been in our front entry since and we have received many compliments by those who visit us. We will always remember Patrick’s kindness to us and his willingness to go the distance to provide a painting that is exactly what we wanted! The piece is our favorite because it is beautiful, but also because of the story that we can tell of Patrick ’s kindness to us. Rest in peace, Patrick!

Some artists leave behind paintings. Others leave behind a way of seeing the world.

Although I only met Patrick once during a transition time at the gallery, it was all it took to see the man and the artist behind his remarkable gift for capturing the quiet beauty of the natural world. He taught me so much about art in that brief chance visit and I’m sure that he reached countless others in this same way.

My favorite part of his art mastery is how he captured light and shading into his landscapes. His work, especially his huge vineyards, has always been one of my highlights during my visits to Gallery 1870.

May the artwork remain timeless and continue to speak to generations.

Patrick was always so humble and cheerful. His visits at the gallery were something that we look forward to. I can remember back in his initial venture when he came by and stated that let’s try my art for a weekend. He ended up selling 30 pieces and was locked into our gallery for the last 30 years now it was fun then to always see him come by another story would be that he brought in an example of a masterpiece and I thought maybe but I was kind of skeptical later on he reminded me that that was the best group of pieces that he had ever done with those fun masterpiece stories and the things that go with the Napa Valley we miss patrick will enjoy his art forever as I’ve enjoyed the peace that I had him create for a fun family memory with mountains in a house and the location that was so meaningful to Kathy and I thanks again patrick for all you did for us. We miss you. Paul and Kathy Thoren.

We invite Patrick’s collectors, friends, family, and everyone whose life was touched by his artwork to share a memory or message here.

Perhaps you met Patrick at Gallery 1870, commissioned a special painting, collected one of his landscapes or Mouseterpieces, or simply have a favorite work that has brought you joy over the years. We would love to hear your story.

Please note that messages are reviewed by Gallery 1870 before appearing publicly, so there may be a short delay before your comment is visible.

Thank you for helping us preserve not only Patrick’s remarkable artistic legacy, but also the memories and connections he created along the way.

It is difficult to put more than twenty years of memories into a few words. Patrick was such an important part of Gallery 1870, and I feel incredibly fortunate that we had the opportunity to share his artwork with so many collectors over the years.

What I will remember most about Patrick was his humility and genuine appreciation for the people who connected with his work. For an artist whose paintings brought so much beauty—and often so much laughter—into people’s homes, Patrick himself was remarkably unassuming.

I loved watching collectors discover the serenity and romance in his landscapes, and then seeing an entirely different side of him through the wonderful humor of his Mouseterpieces. Both were unmistakably Patrick.

We miss him, and I am deeply grateful for the years, the artwork, and all of the memories he left with us.

— Kassia, Gallery 1870