Artist Biography

Having been retired for the past seven years, I now have the time and
inclination to create more serious artwork as an amateur.  That said, I have
a long history of exposure to art and painting.

My Mom, E. Jane Given, was a professional watercolorist in the Philadelphia
area, and taught many adult classes, which I was obliged to attend starting
at the tender age of 10; it was a start!  My Aunt Eleanor Sale was also an accomplished watercolorist.

Watercolor was my go-to medium for many years, but I rarely painted. 
There was a long hiatus while my family and professional life as a food
chemist grew, and I didn’t paint at all.

In 2018 my interest in art returned.  My wife Janie bought me a set of 3 lessons
from Lisa Beach, who provided expert guidance and honed my skills; I
continued group and private lessons with Lisa using both watercolor and
acrylics.  Since then I’ve taken many lessons & workshops with Eric Tobin,
T.M. Nicholas, Emily Passman, Rosalie Sidoti, Don Demers, Ken Knowles … 
Eric talked me into switching to oil paint,
especially if I wanted to do winter scenes – water freezes!

My first oil was of a covered bridge, “Over the river and through the woods”,
which was accepted for exhibit at Bryan Gallery in Jeffersonville, VT, and subsequently sold (sad).  I’ve also exhibited at the North Shore Art Association
in Gloucester, MA, Rockport Art Association & Museum, Copley Hospital,
University of Vermont Medical Center, Conomo Point in Essex, MA, and
St. John’s Episcopal Church in Stowe, VT.

I really enjoy the challenge of rendering a painting that captures the moment, especially lights and shadows, and I get immense joy from capturing the
emotional feeling of a place and a time.

Peter