Peter Emerson
Oil Paintings – Commissions
Working directly from life, Peter Emerson puts himself in the shoes of the 19th-century painters. Like those men and women, he does not carry a camera with him. As he seeks out painting spots, he is ever conscious of the light. “Light can bring out the beauty in those things that otherwise appear ugly and distasteful. I am not just painting the beautiful creation; I’m painting light wherever I am, finding beauty in the undervalued as well as in the obvious.”
For as long as Peter can remember, he has been drawn to marine art. As an artist that paints on location, he is attracted to coastal areas, and he can frequently be found sketching and painting in marinas and on fishing piers. As he says, “I can’t stray too far from the boats.” His typically large canvases feature scenes of maritime subjects ranging from racing yachts and fishing boats to rocks and surf.
Ever since his first house commission in 2012, Peter has been on an energetic quest to capture the strength and beauty in buildings the same way that he does with boats. Peter has continued this effort, serving his clients by involving them in the process of capturing their unique properties, vessels, and landscapes on canvas. When at work, you might find Peter on a dock, in a field, or even knee-deep in water – all to catch the ever-changing light and right perspective from which to paint. He tackles portraits with the same enthusiasm, working from life, always endeavoring to capture not just a likeness on canvas, but a glimpse of personality as well.
Competing in Paint Annapolis six successive years, Peter has won three awards, receiving honorable mention in 2009, winning second place in 2012, and capturing the Naval Academy Award in 2014. Peter has also competed in other Maryland shows, including Plein Air Easton in 2013, as well as ones in his home state of Pennsylvania. He has received awards at Plein Air Camp Hill (2011, 2012, 2013) and Havre de Grace Plein Air (2010, 2012.) Peter has exhibited work in the International Marine Art Exhibition at the Mystic Seaport in both 2010 and 2012. In addition, his art has been exhibited in several other shows at the Maritime Art Gallery there.
Peter’s training has included apprenticeships with portraitist Cedric Egeli of Edgewater, Maryland and landscape painter David Lussier of Woodstock, Connecticut. Like these two men, Peter is passionate about sharing his knowledge with others. Whether it’s an explanation to a casual observer of Peter at the easel or a demonstration to a group of high school art students, Peter finds unique ways to explain concepts. Both stateside and abroad in Zambia, Peter has led children and adults through series of classes.
As the youngest ever artist to be in Mystic Seaport’s Maritime Art Gallery and juried into Plein Air Easton, Peter is already making an impact in the art world. Not surprisingly, he was chosen to be included in 100 Plein Air Painters of the Mid-Atlantic (Schiffer Publishing) which was released in 2014. Peter continues to paint in the mid-Atlantic region for commissions and events – and now, in Florida as well, but ever since 2016, he calls southern Rhode Island home.