Today we’d like to introduce you to Peter Finger
Hi Peter, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My art career started when I was still in high school. I grew up in the beautiful Catskill Mountains and loved this awesome landscape. I first started taking photographs of the surrounding landscape and even built a darkroom in my bathroom while still in school. I had a very supportive High School art teacher and along with his support and encouragement I started painting , using my photographs for inspiration.
I studied the painters of The Hudson River School, traveling in their footsteps and finding the locations of where they painted. During High School and a year before starting college, I entered many outdoor art shows and was able to sell just about every painting. I even won both local, regional and national awards for my work.
During college I received degrees in art education and after graduation I taught art in the middle and high school system. I left teaching to take an opportunity to work for Apple Computer. But I really missed creating art. I left about after about 6 years and soon thereafter opened my own photography business.
I was able to juggle both my professional photography assignments with my passion for painting. This is still what I do today. I am now spending much more time on developing my painting style.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It’s been a pretty smooth ride. Right now my biggest personal challenge is finding a very specific painting style that I both love and others can identify with. I continue to go back and forth with several different approaches. I love my old style of realism, but I also have started to explore a much more “painterly” style. I also switch back and forth between acrylic and oil based mediums. Trying to find the perfect fit for me going forward has beena real personal challenge.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
i love painting landscapes! I grew up in the Northeast and the Catskill Mountains areas. I love mountains and barn subject matter. The last decade my focus has been more on the marshlands and unique coastal landscapes of the Charleston , South Carolina area. I don’t think I have found my niche. I also think that this is ok as I explore new colors and new styles.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
Keep painting. Keep pushing yourself. never give up on your dreams. Don’t make excuses not to put in the time needed to reach your personal goals. LOVE your work. Don’t be afraid to try new things creatively.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.peterfingerartist.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peterfingerartist/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/peter.finger.56/
