Peter Cheung is a multiple award-winning artist from Southern Ontario, Canada. His work strongly reflects his love affair with sailing and his deep appreciation for the environment and the wildlife of the west coast of Canada. Peter is a true master whose work is highly influenced by the Impressionist and Post-Impressionist painters of the 19th-century art movement.
Peter, how long have you been painting for?
I have always gravitated towards the arts and I found myself busy exploring my artistic talents during my free time. During the past 7 years, I made a career change and I have been working as a full-time painter and art teacher.
Who are your major artistic influences?
My work is strongly influenced by the Impressionist and Post-Impressionist painters of the 19th-century art movement. The technique of light and visible brush strokes allows me to create Contemporary Life artworks that not only influence the viewer’s experiences as they interact with my art, but also transforms their emotional state.
"The goal of my work is to create art that can evoke the viewer’s emotions in unique and surprising ways."
When have you been your happiest painting?
My happiest moment is every time I stand in front of the easel with a blank canvas. I nicknamed my studio “The opium den.” When standing in front of the easel, I have an opportunity to reflect on what I’ve learned from each of the artworks I have created in the past. Each finished project provides new layers of knowledge and understanding that I can tap into for my new projects.
What inspires you (both art and non art) and how does that affect your art?
I am mostly inspired by daily life, past or present. For example, my recent piece, “Home for Christmas,” captures a simple event in a unique way. It is open to interpretation with its potential for a double meaning. Is the family in the painting returning to their own home for Christmas, or have they just arrived at their destination? I enjoy painting landscapes (both painted out-of-doors and in studio), cityscapes, portraits, leisure scenes, etc.
What motivates you creatively?
I am motivated both externally (calls for competition or commission requests) and internally (driven by my personal interests, exploring new boundaries and commitment to the pursuit of excellence).
What is the goal of your work?
The goal of my work is to create art that can evoke the viewer’s emotions in unique and surprising ways.
How has your style evolved over time?
My style has not changed much over the years. When reflecting on my previous artworks, I can identify the similarities in both design and concepts when comparing them to my new works. However, my technique has changed (i.e., the application of brush strokes, the thickness of paints, colour selection, etc.).
Could you describe a "dream" project made reality?
To date my dream project was being selected to create a 40in x 60in commission piece for a retiring doctor. I embraced the challenges of creating a non-traditional portrait. It was an opportunity for me to recreate the story of a doctor teaching his students while in the operating room. This piece will be showcased at a hospital in Hamilton, Canada.
What do you consider your best work?
My best work is my next piece (the one that I have yet to create). It is my best piece because I will bring to it everything that I have learned from creating all of my previous artworks.
Could you tell us about any future work in progress?
My future projects include working on a series of landscape paintings titled, “Sky over the Great Lakes.” I completed small sketches during the summer and fall of 2021. Soon they will be brought to life onto large canvases.
Peter Cheung contact information:
IG account: petercheungart