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I grew up in Walla Walla, Washington on a small family farm,
the youngest of four children. In May 2005, I graduated from
the University of Puget Sound (UPS) with a Bachelor of Arts
in Studio Art and a minor in French. After living and working
in Seattle for 4 years, I decided to move and am currently
living in Thonon les Bains, France - just outside of Geneva.
My work stems from my life experiences and focuses on
mood and emotion. Although some of my works are
representational, landscape, portrait or still-life, I consider
myself an abstract expressionist utilizing light, color and
texture to create visual feeling.
What I like best about my work is that it is messy, and yet
controlled. I choose colors and compositions very carefully
but I also allow the painting to grow and be re-worked
throughout the artistic process. Two of my favorite
materials are beeswax and stand oil. The texture and quality
of both those materials allow me to make works that are
more three-dimensional than two.
Although aspects of my work are controlled, the essential
meaning of the work - what it speaks to the audience - is
unique to each viewer. I consider my work almost
conversational because the viewer is meant to get lost in the
painting’s visual world as if having an intimate conversation
with a friend or looking nostalgically through old
photographs. For example, when traveling alone through
Italy I took a snapshot of the dining car where I spent most of
that afternoon. Later, I came home to paint that experience
as a moody painting representing solitude in a time of busy
travel. Because we all bring to the table different life
experiences, paintings such as Italian Train resonate with
each viewer differently.
Visual speech is a powerful tool and it is towards the greater
understanding of this truth that I strive. I hope you can find
(or lose) yourself in the artwork.
Enjoy!
the youngest of four children. In May 2005, I graduated from
the University of Puget Sound (UPS) with a Bachelor of Arts
in Studio Art and a minor in French. After living and working
in Seattle for 4 years, I decided to move and am currently
living in Thonon les Bains, France - just outside of Geneva.
My work stems from my life experiences and focuses on
mood and emotion. Although some of my works are
representational, landscape, portrait or still-life, I consider
myself an abstract expressionist utilizing light, color and
texture to create visual feeling.
What I like best about my work is that it is messy, and yet
controlled. I choose colors and compositions very carefully
but I also allow the painting to grow and be re-worked
throughout the artistic process. Two of my favorite
materials are beeswax and stand oil. The texture and quality
of both those materials allow me to make works that are
more three-dimensional than two.
Although aspects of my work are controlled, the essential
meaning of the work - what it speaks to the audience - is
unique to each viewer. I consider my work almost
conversational because the viewer is meant to get lost in the
painting’s visual world as if having an intimate conversation
with a friend or looking nostalgically through old
photographs. For example, when traveling alone through
Italy I took a snapshot of the dining car where I spent most of
that afternoon. Later, I came home to paint that experience
as a moody painting representing solitude in a time of busy
travel. Because we all bring to the table different life
experiences, paintings such as Italian Train resonate with
each viewer differently.
Visual speech is a powerful tool and it is towards the greater
understanding of this truth that I strive. I hope you can find
(or lose) yourself in the artwork.
Enjoy!
| © Cleo Peterson. All Rights Reserved |
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Biography:
Exhibitions and Awards: 2007 Balmar Lounge – Seattle, WA (solo exhibition) Art of Oregon on-line gallery – Portland, OR Pies & Pints – Seattle, WA College Place Presbyterian Church Art Auction – Walla Walla, WA 2006 Oasis Art Gallery – Seattle, WA YWCA Annual Art Auction – Walla Walla, WA 2005 Brickstone Design Gallery - Walla Walla, WA College Place Presbyterian Church Art Auction – Walla Walla, WA Kittridge Gallery, Senior Show Exhibition - University of Puget Sound, Tacoma, WA. Karpeles Museum, Man’s Inhumanity Towards Man - Tacoma, WA. Diversions Café – Tacoma, WA 2004 Kittridge Gallery, Fall Student Show - University of Puget Sound, Tacoma, WA. IES Institute – Nantes, France. Solo exhibition. University of Puget Sound Summer Research Grant Recipient "USA Today All-Academic Team" Honorable Mention for Student Emotions painting series 2003 Kittridge Gallery, Fall Student Show - University of Puget Sound, Tacoma, WA. "Best in Medium, Painting" Award 2001 Carnegie Art Center - Walla Walla, WA 2000 Carnegie Art Center - Walla Walla, WA |
