Peter's blog

  English Version - *version française dessous*   MY INSPIRATION WALL Studio visitors often ask to take pictures of what I call “My Inspiration Wall”.   These are quotes, sometimes serious, sometimes in jest from people who have inspired me during my life’s journey.   There are also pieces of art that have been gifted to me by family, friends, collectors and in certain cases, children.   I’d like to share some photos and some of the quotes here.   The painting comes to me as if in a dream - Vincent Van Gogh      Focus on what you have instead of what you don't have. On what's right in your world instead of what's wrong. On where you're going instead of what you've been through. - Billy Cox     Stay away from negative people. They have a problem for every solution. - Albert Einstein   Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new - Albert Einstein     Don’t let schooling interfere with your educati...

English Version - *version française dessous*     NAMING MY PAINTINGS   When I started painting back in 1989, some paintings were named, others were not. However, once we opened the gallery in 2013, all paintings were named.   Most of the time, the name was unique but if I did a series of paintings ie. diptych, triptychs or more, they would be followed by a number.   For example, “Eternal Carnation #1”, “Eternal Carnation #2” and so on.   To be honest… I didn’t always name the paintings.   That was left up to Francine and her talented colleagues.   But since I sold my business five years ago, I have taken a much more active role in naming the paintings.     Because music has always played a huge part in my creative process, I’ve recently started naming many of the paintings after the music that inspired when I was in my studio.   If you see music note behind the painting it means the name came from a piece of music! ...

English Version - *version française dessous*   HANGING OUT WITH MONET  Monet inspired me to paint.  In the early 1990s, I travelled to Boston to see an exhibit of Monet’s “series paintings”.  These were motifs Monet painted multiple times during different times of the day, under differing weather conditions and times of the year.  These motifs included haystacks, poplar trees, the Cathedral at Rouen and of course, the bridges and ponds of his garden in Giverny.  Since that trip I have done my best to “hang out with Monet”!  Here are a few of my very hang outs: Giverny… Monet’s Home & Garden Giverny is about 50 miles from Paris and can be easily accessed by car or train.  I have visited there several times, once during the off season.  You can visit Monet’s home and his gardens which include the famous Japanese Bridge.  Be sure to visit the souvenir shop… not to buy souvenir but to stand in what was his last studio.  Monet is bu...

English Version - *version française dessous*     ART FOR A CAUSE… ACCUEIL BONNEAU   Founded in 1877, Accueil Bonneau has been dedicated to helping those experiencing homelessness. The Gallery is proud to have supported this vital organization since our opening in 2013. My wife, Francine Bellomo, helped organize fundraising events in our gallery and contributed to various other projects. I served on their Board of Directors for five years and held numerous workshops aimed at helping participants reintegrate into society.   Now, Francine and I are excited to announce the launch of a new year-round fundraising program for Accueil Bonneau:  ART FOR A CAUSE.   The concept is very simple. The Gallery will offer buyers a 30% discount on any art purchased from our gallery valued more than $500 provided the buyer donates the discount amount directly to Accueil Bonneau. Donations are made via Accueil Bonneau’s donation webpage, and the buyer will receive...

English Version - *version française dessous*   THE OLD BREWERY MISSION… BRIGHTENING WALLS AND LIVES   Since 1889 the Old Brewery Mission has worked with Montreal’s homeless.  It’s mission is to end the cycle of homelessness and provide support to those at risk or experiencing homelessness on the streets of Montreal.  So, when Bob Venafro, my good friend and fellow artist asked if I would donate a painting to assist the cause it was easy to support.  My painting was called “Coming Home”.    I was not the only artist.  Bob, along with Helen Fortin, another Montreal based artist, organized an event at the Monument National whereby a total of 16 artists donated art which will be displayed in the Old Brewery Mission’s 15 properties. Hopefully, our art will not only brighten the walls of these buildings, but also, more importantly, the lives of those in need.   Here are some photos from the event.   Version française   L...

English Version - *version française dessous* ONE OF MY TREASURED PLACES… BONNET HOUSE Francine and I love cruising and many of them leave from Fort Lauderdale.   Usually, we arrive a day before the cruise’s departure date and likewise, we usually stay a day or two upon our return.   We call them “off days”.   It was during one of these “off days” almost ten years ago that we stumbled across Bonnet House Museum and Gardens.   We make it a point to visit Bonnet House every time we are in Fort Lauderdale.   It is a magical place!   The house goes back to 1920 and was built by Frederic Clay Bartlett and his wife Helen.   The Bartletts came from wealthy families based in Chicago both were connected to what became True Value Hardware.   Bartlett wanted to become a painter, and his father subsidized a European art education with the proviso, that once completed he needed to sell his paintings.     The Bartletts were also early co...