Peter's blog

    English Version - *version française dessous* MY STUDIO Four years ago today, my best friend Cam Ferguson helped Francine and me move my studio to the space directly behind our art gallery on 367 Rue St-Paul in the Old Port of Montreal. My studio had been located at Rideau, where I had worked for most of my adult life.   At the end of the day, Cam and I walked out of Rideau together for the very last time. It was very fitting because we had both worked there since 1972. So it was a very emotional day for both of us. I’m truly grateful for the 48 years I worked in that building. Yes, there were difficult times, but overall, there were many, many more good times. I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the amazing people I worked with during my career at Rideau. Together, we created a very special company. Cam passed away last year, but his spirit is always with me when I paint. If you are ever in the Old Port, please drop in. I’d be pleased to show you around my new studio! _ _ _

   English Version - *version française dessous* CREATIVITY I think creativity resides in everyone!  The problem is that we often do not see it in ourselves.  And if we don't see it, most likely others won't either.  Creativity doesn't reside solely in artists. People associate my creativity with my painting, but I NEVER did.  I felt just as creative working on certain aspects of my former business as I did when painting. It just takes a different form.  Creativity can happen anywhere, anytime and to anyone. You don't have to be an artist to be creative. You can be a floor cleaner, a dishwasher, an accountant, a teacher or whatever and still be creative. You just have to find it!  I often wonder what would have happened if I never picked up the book that inspired me to paint.  I might never have discovered my passion to paint.  But if I had NEVER painted, would I still consider myself creative?  The answer is MOS

  English Version - *version française dessous* THREE STYLES  When I first started painting in 1989, I tried to copy such great painters as Degas, Monet, Turner, Van Gogh, and many others.   All these paintings were figurative in the sense you could see the motif they were trying to capture.   Eventually I started to do my own “figurative” paintings.   This was the first of my three styles.   As I learned and experimented over the years, I started to develop my second styIe.   I called these paintings “abstract figurative” because depending on your own personal perspective, you could see different things. My third style was pure abstract.   These were heavily influenced by Jackson Pollock and Jean-Paul Riopelle.   I must admit the first time I saw a Pollock I did not get it.   But as my understanding of art evolved, I began to appreciate the beauty in abstract art.     I would get bored pai