Pat Waddick may be best known around Albert Lea for his work as a restoration architect on the Freeborn National Bank building.

But the Minneapolis resident is also a prolific artist. His exhibit opens today at the Albert Lea Art Center, with an open house scheduled from 5 to 7 p.m.

As an architect, Waddick designs a lot of buildings, but he actually got his degree in studio arts from the University of Minnesota.

“A person learns a lot through art and architecture,” he said.

Most of the pieces in Waddick’s show are paintings of people. “I see an interesting face and I sketch it,” he said.

He works primarily in watercolor and charcoal. He also does some sculpture.

“Every day I do a sketch or painting,” he said.

Waddick has about 30 pieces in the show. “I stripped the house,” he said with a chuckle.

He said those coming to the show will see what he sees in other people. “I just enjoy it. That’s the main thing.”

The artist said he doesn’t do many exhibitions but did take part in the Downtown Albert Lea Holiday Art Stroll with his son in 2007.

“That was a lot of fun,” Waddick said.

He’s also shown at the Minnesota State Fair and in St. Cloud.

Waddick’s show will be up at the Art Center, 224 S. Broadway Ave., through Nov. 7. Regular gallery hours are from noon to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.