Charles Pitcher          Frank L. Melega          Peter West          Andrew Knez Jr.          Ray W. Forquer

Peter West (USA, 1953)


From the mid-1970’s to the present my work could generally be 

described as mixed-media. The materials and techniques that I

used over the years have changed and evolved. Much of my early

and mid-life’s work were painted sculptures combining Plexiglas,

fromica and fiberglass with painted surfaces.

By the early 1980’s I began focusing on two dimensional

surfaces such as canvas and sometimes plexiglas. Continuing with

my interest in mixed-media I also introduced neon to my work 

by attaching it to the frames of my paintings illuminating the imagery.

By the mid-1980’s I began using the technique of silkscreen

to help create my imagery. Combining silkscreen with traditional

brush painting and airbrush produced layers of color creating

vibrancy and depth. This combination of techniques has developed

into a distinct signature style that I continue to use today.

A finial tool and technique that I have incorporated into my art

is the Giclee printer. By first creating a digital composition on

the computer I then print the image on canvas that serves as

a under-painting that I re-paint by brush, airbrush and silkscreen.

Peter West, M.F.A. is a noted fine artist with a B.FA. from the Tyler School of Art at Temple University and an M.F.A. from Ohio University. His extensive body ofwork has been exhibited throughout the United States and Europe. Solo shows include exhibitions at New York University, Hansen Galleries and Foster Goldstrom Gallery, all in New York City. West has had solo museum exhibitions at the LBJ Presidential Library in Austin, Texas and the War Memorial Museum of Virginia, where both institutions retain West's work in their permanent collections. Locally his works have been shown at the Carnegie, Westmoreland, Butler, Warhol and the Pennsylvania State museums. Peter West has been an adjunct professor of art at Bethany College in West Virginia as well as at Washington & Jefferson College in Washington, PA. West was awarded the Artists Fellowship Award in painting by the PA Council on the Arts. He is the author of "Step by Step Airbrushing" a Walter Foster Publication. West also designed and co-authored two previous books with Art Rooney, Jr., titled "A Passion for Art and Football", "Rooney-McGinley Boxing Club" and "A Book of Cards". In 1999 Peter West and wife Robin opened World West Galleries in Washington, PA where works of many of the area's most notable artists are exhibited. In addition to the gallery, West offers custom Giclee printing, framing, graphic design, and digital art restoration.

Selected paintings spanning a 45 year period beginning with current work.

DESCRIPTION OF CURRENT WORK
The following paintings are all silkscreen & acrylic on canvas or rag paper. I describe my technique as mixed-media utilizing hand applied brushwork, airbrush and splashed color. Once the color has been distributed throughout the painting surface a silk-screened image is applied creating form and definition. Narratively my work utilizes appropriated images from historical artifacts presented in a visually exciting manner using the images metaphorically to evoke a personal response and interpretation by the viewer.

Chief Ouray Silk-Screen & Acrylic on Canvas, image size 31 x 49 in, frame size 37 x 55 in

Chied Ouray was composed to fit the mid-century frame circa 1957.

Ouray of Eastlake Silk-Screen & Acrylic on canvas, image size 35 x 20 in, frame size 47 x 32 in
 This horizontal version of Chief Ouray was composed to fit this turn of the century frame.

One PA PA Silk-Screen & Acrylic on canvas, image size 41 x 36 x 2 in
This painting is a wraparound canvas with no frame. The image was derived from a vintage five dollar silver certificate.
 

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