Patrick Harper studied art at the University of Evansville in Indiana. He furthered his education at the Art Center College of Design and Otis College of Art, both in Los Angeles, California. Presently he is an art instructor for the Otis College of Art, The Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising, and for UCLA extension courses. Concurrently with his fine art, Harper also works in motion pictures and television, creating concepts for advertising storyboards and illustrations.

Patrick Harper's work has been exhibited at the Phippen Museum in Prescott, Arizona and in California at the Frederick R. Weisman Museum of Art at Pepperdine University, and the Pasadena Historical Museum. He is an Artist Member of the California Art Club, Oil Painters of America, the Malibu Art Association, and the Arroyo Arts Collective.