Lot 178 - Pati Bannister (American/New Orleans, 1929-2013) Original Oil on Masonite "Two Faces". Signed "Pati" lower right. Professionally framed at her gallery in a Silver Wood Frame. Wonderful Mid Century, early work by Pati Bannister. In Frame measures 18"x20"x2". Masonite 10"x8". Weight 4 pds. PROVENANCE: A Charleston, SC Private Estate. Very well known for her skilled portrayal of the delicacy, sensitivity, and mystery of women, Pati Bannister was considered by many to be a unparalleled master of feminine portraiture and exquisite detail. Pati was born in Highgate, England, overlooking London in 1929. Pati had art lessons as a young girl and ultimately went to work for J. Arthur Rank, the moviemaker, as an animator where she spent a great deal of time working on detail, composition, and color mixing. At 22 years old, Pati came to the United States as a governess for a family in Connecticut. Later she became a flight attendant in Florida where she met her future husband, Glynn. Little did she know he would become the strongest influence in her life as he inspired her to pursue and share her artistic abilities with the public. In 1958, she and her husband moved to New Orleans and Pati started painting portraits in Jackson Square. Ultimately, she and Glynn would own two art galleries located in the French Quarter. In the late 1960's, they moved to the Mississippi Gulf Coast where her art business thrived making her a nationally known artist. She continued her career painting stunning young girls. She retired in 2005, using her time to take piano lessons, gardening, and traveling extensively In recent years Pati was featured on the cover of Southwest Art Magazine twice, Prints Magazine, Museum Magazine of the Museum of Arts and Sciences, Daytona Beach, Florida Art Gallery Magazine, and has been featured in many other art magazines, including Art Voices South, Collector's Mart and International Fine Art Collector.