Paintings and Drawings

Artist and Art Teacher Biography
   John St. Peter received his MFA in painting in 1991 from Eastern Michigan University, and his BFA in 1987, from The Center For Creative Studies/College of Art and Design, in Detroit, Michigan. St. Peter began as a Figurative Painter and gradually evolved into semi-figurative imagery, then alternating between geometric abstraction and biomorphic. After receiving his Graduate degree, he moved to New York City and held his art studio in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. St. Peter’s inspiration is abstract painting, and he feels a kinship with the New York School of Abstractionist such as William de Kooning, Jackson Pollock, and Philip Guston. His works have been selected by a jury at the Metropolitan Museum of Art for their Annual Employee Art Exhibition as many artist work at the Metropolitan Museum of Art; in 1999 he held a Solo exhibition at the Sai Gallery Alexie in Chelsea, and several group exhibitions across New York City. When he moved to Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 1997, he was represented by Sarah Garcia Uriburu Gallery. In 2022, St. Peter received The Honorable Mention at the New Mexico Education Association Member Exhibition for his artworks.
   In 2023, the Art in Public Places Program of New Mexico has selected St. Peter's paintings to be included in a portfolio of artworks available for purchase. In 2024 St. Peter's paintings were shown in the City of Santa Fe Community Art Show at the Main Santa Fe Public Library.

John St. Peter has an art studio in Santa Fe and teaches art for the Santa Fe Public Schools.

Artist Statement
“Works of art are not necessarily narratives, and they may not represent recognizable
figures and objects. Several terms have been used to designate such works, including non
objective, nonfigurative, and nonrepresentational.” (Adams Schneider, Laurie). I began as an illustrator and a Figurative painter, and my work gradually shifted to abstraction. My artworks are usually large with heavily painted oils, creating texture and depth with a high contrast between thin and thick layers, leading the viewer’s eye into multiple directions, appearing to have no beginning and no end. In 2004, I moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico where its beautiful landscapes and brighter light have gently snuck into my palette which resulted in more colorful abstract paintings.