THE LIFE, & of
PATRICK ATKINSON
Legacy
The Life, & of
Patrick Atkinson
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Patrick Atkinson (1978-2012) was a prolific painter born in Charlotte, NC. His lifelong passion for art started at a very young age and developed into a serious pursuit in high school when he was challenged to approach it with passion and discipline. Patrick studied fine art at ECU and Queens College in NC before apprenticing under the late artist T.L. Lange.
Patrick's paintings are known for their organic nature and timeless quality, influenced by personal philosophy and society. He exhibited his work in numerous prominent galleries, including Hidell Brooks (NC), Mary Martin (SC), Hawthorne Gallery (AL), Mary Bell (IL), and Art Dallas (TX), and completed an artist residency at the McColl Center for Visual Arts.
His work can be found in private & corporate collections, including the Davidson Art Museum, the Charlotte Bobcats, Pottery Barn, Ballard Designs, Ethan Allen & hospitals, fine restaurants and major hotels. Patrick joined Grand Image in 2006 and soon thereafter became a favorite artist.
Hi, I’m Rocky Atkinson and I’m Patrick’s dad.
Patrick's Story
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His work can be found in private & corporate collections, including the Davidson Art Museum, the Charlotte Bobcats, Pottery Barn, Ballard Designs, Ethan Allen & hospitals, fine restaurants and major hotels. Patrick joined Grand Image in 2006 and soon thereafter became a favorite artist
Hi, I’m Rocky Atkinson and I’m Patrick’s dad.
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Patrick's paintings are known for their organic nature and timeless quality, influenced by personal philosophy and society. He exhibited his work in numerous prominent galleries, including Hidell Brooks (NC), Mary Martin (SC), Hawthorne Gallery (AL), Mary Bell (IL), and Art Dallas (TX), and completed an artist residency at the McColl Center for Visual Arts.
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What began with 12 to 15 men eventually grew to more than 200 beds helping men and women in recovery.
I thought to myself, I would like to take some of that art and put Bible verses with it or creative positive sayings about recovery and maybe turn it into a book.
Dulce and I decided that we would donate the books to men and women in recovery.
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The son we hoped we’d have was not the son we got. Praise be to God, the son we were blessed with was remarkedly better than anything we might have imagined or deserved, a gift from God that lasted for 33 years. When we lost Patrick, our grief was overwhelming.
We all had a difficult time accepting the finality of his death. It’s been 13 years since his passing. His boys Caspian and Lief have gone from ages 6 and 3 to 20 and 17. And the world just keeps chugging along.
We have been able to get some semblance of peace on Patrick’s passing. In many ways, he is with us every day and we love his company. As his father, I spend much time with his artwork and even more time working with men and women in recovery for addiction to drugs and alcohol.
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The writings tell of how Patrick must have felt battling addiction and fighting demons so committed to his destruction, determined to take everything and wanting more.
“God & Recovery, A Time to Heal” attempts to answer difficult questions surrounding addiction, faith, healing, and Christian recovery. It provides Bible verses and positive observations on life in recovery with heavy doses of hope, encouragement, healing, and inspiration.
Hear their testimonies. Feel their desperation. Cheer for their redemption.
The books we’ve written, “The Road to Recovery, Searching for Salvation” and “God & Recovery, A Time to Heal”, were both inspired by the life and art of Patrick. They contain original paintings and it’s this artwork that led to the writings, the choices of bible verses, the testimonies and focus on hope, encouragement, healing and inspiration.
Thousands of books have been donated to those in Christian recovery. It’s how we help them escape the darkness and despair of addiction. They believe that with God’s guidance, a better version of themselves will emerge. And, thanks to our sweet Lord, it does! Blessings~
The Road to Recovery and God & Recovery
The Books
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"There descends upon us an overwhelming feeling of joy and contentment as Jesus declares, “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; No one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; No one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.”
John 10:28-30 NIV
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Why are Christian Recovery Programs so successful teaching men and women addicted to drugs and alcohol how best to manage this dread disease? And so successful in saving souls in the process? Why does God figure prominently in the world of Christian Recovery? How will
believing in Him increase the likelihood of a successful long-term recovery? Why is it difficult for us to understand that God and Recovery go hand in hand?
“God & Recovery, A Time to Heal” attempts to answer these questions. It also provides Bible verses and positive observations on life in Christian Recovery. This includes heavy doses of hope, encouragement, healing, and inspiration. “God & Recovery, A Time to Heal” reflects
the despair addicts deal with daily.
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"There descends upon us an overwhelming feeling of joy and contentment as Jesus declares, “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; No one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; No one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.”
John 10:28-30 NIV
Hear their testimonies. Feel their desperation. Cheer for
their redemption. Much of the book is dedicated to the importance of God in Christian Recovery. There are thought-provoking insights into why He is the answer. As we cope with the trials and tribulations of everyday life, thank God for His grace, mercy, love, and forgiveness
which will see us through good and bad times.
“God & Recovery, A Time to Heal” is much needed today, as Christianity is simply no longer relevant to a large portion of our population. The desire to satisfy personal cravings and whims, no matter how sinful and selfish, and to accumulate more and more material possessions, is
powerful. Almost as powerful as the pull of drugs.
In this life, we are responsible for our own actions & choices. We should live our lives with spiritual maturity. This includes repenting, believing in Christ, studying the Word, & obeying commandments. Sound easy? Try it. It’s worth the effort.
Maturing as a Christian requires a lifelong commitment. This is how you become a more complete Christian. Those who succeed are Children of God & bound for Heaven. There is no greater accomplishment in life.
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God seems distant compared to the need to get high. The swirl into oblivion continues for the addict. It’s a herkie jerky ride where despair and torment abound and the user is trapped, driven to an ending that is often hellish at best.
It is our sincere hope that “God & Recovery, A Time to Heal” provides insight into the power of His love and forgiveness. The fact is that many Christian Recovery ministries do an exceptional job of preparing men and women for what lies ahead and in stressing the importance of continuing the recovery process upon graduation.
They expound upon why God is important in the initial recovery process and why He continues to be important every day of recovery thereafter. God is this foundation that shapes who we are and how we live today, and who we will be and how we will live the remainder of our time on earth.
God bless all those seeking a long-term, successful recovery. And God bless all those yet to surrender to Him.
We cannot earn Salvation through being "good enough" or keeping laws perfectly, because all have fallen short of God's standard. It is a Gift of Grace through faith. We believe Jesus' death and resurrection paid the penalty for human sin, removing the "impossible" obstacles between a holy God and fallen humanity. None of us are "too far gone" for redemption. Whether you are wealthy like a ruler or a marginalized outcast, salvation is available for anyone who trusts in God's power rather than their own strength.
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SPREAD THE GOOD NEWS.
But I thought you said the books are free. They are! My wife Dulce and Iand a handful of generous souls, pay for the books so that the men and women at Christian recovery centers and rescue missions won’t have to. That’s the way it will always be.
It’s all about our love for the men and women in recovery. And, of course, the good that we know will come from “God & Recovery” and “The Road to Recovery”. If you think you might like to help us, come on! We’d love to have you assisting us in any variety of ways. Thanks so much.
Want to help?
PATRICK’S ART MINISTRY
Email me at rockyfolly@yahoo.com or call me at 704.574.0521
Rocky Atkinson~ 96 Genoes Point Road, Supply, NC 28462
10,000 books have been donated so far.
Let’s make it 20,000! Thank you and God Bless~
-Rocky Atkinson
Books are donated free to recovery centers, rescue missions, ministries, and individuals seeking encouragement, hope, and healing through Christian recovery.
If you would like books for your recovery program or ministry, text, call, or email Rocky directly.
For mailed books, we simply ask that shipping costs be covered.
(704) 574-0521
rockyfolly@yahoo.com
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