About – Matthew Joseph Peak
BORN: 1959
EDUCATION:
- Apprenticeship with Bob Peak
- Boston School of the Museum of Fine Arts
- NY School of Visual Arts
- Art Center College of Design
- NY Art Students League
HIGHLIGHTS:
- 1st prize in the Kingsley-Crocker Show at the Crocker Art Museum, Sacramento CA 2014
- California Art Club – Artist Member and regular Gold Medal show exhibitor
- Society of Illustrators – GOLD MEDAL winner (book cover)
- Southwest Art Magazine – Feature article
- Created the iconic movie posters for A Nightmare on Elm Street
- Over 100 CD covers and package designs
STATEMENT:
The Start: I was born into a world revolving around art. My father was the renowned illustrator Bob Peak. With his artwork gracing major magazines and movie posters, coupled with my parents having met in art school, artistic exposure was a large aspect of my upbringing. By the time I was four years old I was spending a lot of time in my dad’s studio sitting on the rug drawing pictures and watching him paint. Little did I know this would lead to art becoming my lifetime pursuit.
Inspirations: Everyday there are countless miracles occurring around us. Only through our awareness and ability to feel to the fullest can we receive the pleasure these miracles have to offer. I feel that my social participation in art is to help increase the appreciation and awareness level of these miracles. Nature with all its beautiful relationships is the forefront of my artistic appreciation and expression. Whether it be the predominate subject itself, or a backdrop for figurative compositions, nature plays an integral role in virtually all of my artwork. Most of the master works that have inspired me are figurative in subject, whether they are paintings, drawings or sculptures.
Approaches and Techniques: I feel it would be tragic to limit myself to any set approach. I work directly from life and from my imagination using any tool that will help me achieve what I strive for. While many of my ideas take years to develop and bring to completion, location and spontaneous expression yields a result that is hard to surpass.
Goals: I strive to express the beauty of form and create moments that provoke contemplation for the viewer. My goal is to create moods to experience, worlds to enter and dream about, times and places to visit. I strongly feel that each painting needs to be unique and convey aspects that can only exist within itself.
Ongoing Studies: A sizable portion of my ongoing education comes through the studying of great art. The subjects of art, photography, music, and dance, to note a few, continually enhance my artwork. Above all nature and life are my most valued teachers.
Current and Future Horizons: I am very excited about this time in my life. My focus is clear and I’m producing my best work ever. I feel confident that my explorations and studies will continue to enhance my art for years to come!
Contact
email: info@MatthewPeak.com
phone: 530-215-5402
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Artist Matthew Joseph Peak works primarily in oil.
Original paintings, drawings and giclees can be purchased at the following art galleries
- Sanguin Fine Art Gallery CA
- Waterhouse Gallery, Santa Barbara, CA phone: 805-962 8885
