[Peter Colbert](https://spencegallery.com/peter-colbert) has been drawing and painting throughout his life. He has won various artistic awards starting from his early childhood work, to his later work in the graphic design, illustration and fine art fields. Colbert’s work has also been utilized commercially, being featured in promotional products for big brands, as well as his earlier commercial work with marker rendered advertisements and marketing campaigns. Colbert is a graduate of Humber College and won a scholarship to Ontario College of Art and Design in Toronto, Canada, where he concentrated his studies in fine art and illustration. After mastering the craft of draftsmanship and spending years working as an art director and illustrator, he transitioned to being a full-time artist in 2006, focusing on his artistic growth and putting a personal stamp on his art. Currently working out of his home studio in Ottawa, Canada, Colbert’s work is known internationally with collectors worldwide.





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#### Tell us about your artistic practice. How would you describe your work to someone encountering it for the first time? 

I like to think that many people find an emotional connection to my work - especially my figurative paintings. I’ve been told frequently that one of them reminds them of another time another situations they’ve been in before, and they connect with it in some special way.




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#### Walk us through your creative process - from the spark of an idea to the finished piece. How do you balance intuition with intention? 

I usually start with a few sketches on my iPad, using references I’ve amassed over many years. Using that as my basic frame of reference I start roughing in colour on my canvas, concentrating on the feeling, colour and composition in a way that makes me feel something special. My goal is to give them a humanistic, intriguing appeal.


#### What currently inspires your work? This could be anything—other artists, current events, personal experiences, or unexpected sources.
I’m inspired by so many artists - I especially enjoy unique interpretations, work that pushes the envelope when it comes to walking the edge between realism and impressionism.




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#### How did your relationship with Spence Gallery begin, and what has working with Joan and her team meant for your artistic journey?


oan and her team have been a driving force behind my paintings… she first saw me at the Toronto Outdoor Art Fair a few years ago, I joined her stable of artists, and she’s pushed me to create a myriad of figurative paintings for Spence Gallery. It’s been very successful, and I’m grateful to her.


#### Spence Gallery is known for making art accessible while maintaining quality. How do you think about creating work that can connect with both first-time art buyers and seasoned collectors?

I try to price my art in a way that does make it accessible to many people. Those seasoned collectors may be surprised to see my prices as competitive as they are, while first-time buyers may have to think longer before purchasing one of my paintings.

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#### Tell us about your relationship with materials and process. How do you decide what to work with, and when do you know a piece is finished?

I work hard to find intriguing subjects to paint, visuals that inspire me. I strive to find great compositions that work, and then of course working the colours using a series of overlapping glazes to give my work the richness they deserve.


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#### How does being part of Toronto's art community influence your work? What role does location and local artistic dialogue play in your practice?
In another life I lived in Toronto - I was born in Vancouver and spent 7 years there in the 1990’s. But I know a great many artists based in Toronto and southern Ontario, as well as Ottawa, where I’ve lived the past 14 years.

#### You're part of a roster of over 30 diverse artists at Spence Gallery. How important is artistic community to your practice, and how do you engage with other artists?
I really enjoy talking to other artists of all types, based everywhere. I appreciate their art and skill, but from the time I first started painting I created my own style very quickly. It was just how I liked to work, using things like palette knives, brushes, rollers. I rolled with what came pretty naturally to me.


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#### What are you working on right now, and what new directions or challenges are you excited to explore in your practice?

I’m currently working on some figurative paintings for the fall shows… I also enjoy creating abstract/landscape paintings on a larger scale, a welcome change and something that keeps my work fresh, new and fun.


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#### If you could share one piece of advice with someone just starting to collect art or thinking about supporting emerging artists, what would it be?

I would advise them to invest in something they love, that could live on their wall for a long time, by an artist that is hopefully a true original, who creates unique, as opposed to cookie-cutter, assembly line works.

Personally, I love work that combines great composition with excellent colour and proficient technique. That never grows old.




Spence Gallery Featured Arist: Peter Colbert

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