PETER SMETS

My paintings are representational reflections of the natures, the people, objects or tools or situations that have piqued my interest. Sometimes the attraction is purely aesthetic in a superficial way – the way the light hits a surface or the dynamic energy of a figure's pose, for instance. Other times the subject has thematic or narrative significance that references personal experience. My painting process consists of working in layers of oil paint — the first layer being drawn monochromatically and laid down in anticipation of subsequent layers. My goal is to maintain cohesiveness throughout the compositions and to create depth and luminosity with the paint. I'm also keenly interested in the way the eye moves around an image. Another important consideration for me is that the piece holds interest from a close vantage point as well as from a distance.

- Peter Smets