Art as a Reflection of Life

Peter's artistic philosophy resonates deeply: his work is an exploration of life, nature, and emotion. Through mixed media paintings, he creates a dialogue between organic forms and abstract landscapes, fostering thoughtful contemplation and connection with oneself and the world around us.

1. How do you decide which medium to use for a particular piece, and how does that choice influence the final outcome?

Through experimentation and play with different materials you can get a sense of what is possible and how the work will develop. I tend to be drawn towards construction materials, found objects and interesting patterns. Sometimes the original idea makes its way to the final artwork. Other times the process of creation with the material or medium reveals new revelations and artwork develops further than anticipated. New things emerge and the next series is born.

2. Can you elaborate on how the meditative aspect of your artistic process impacts your work and how it might differ from a more traditional artistic approach?

Through the use of mark-making, I simplify elements to create neutral experiences intended to generate both thoughtful and thoughtless contemplations, which correspond to a sense of harmony with the world and oneself. Similar to what is taught in the practice of tai chi and Zen, my pattern is the whole mind and body working in harmony. Many of these patterns are created within a single session of non-stop painting, where decisions of what line goes where become parallel to breathing. I consider my pattern to be a visual representation of the seen or unseen or a blueprint of life, where the process of creating collides with a spiritual and meditative goal. Once the pattern is complete, I go back into the cloud of networks to interpret the web-like matrix pattern to chart a visual journey of color and form. The combination of simple repetitive dots and brush strokes, are intended to create an intricate web of seemingly infinite space. The contrast between the dot-pattern on top of the brush stroke web pattern, triggers a unique recipe of shapes within the painting that enhances a sense of tranquility or excitement, depending on the individual. The idea of patterns within patterns exposes the development of a second inspiration in the process involving the web pattern in reaction to the second overlapping pattern, signifying the interpretation of the unconscious and the acceptance of life. The second overlaying dot pattern is a deliberate revealing of the automatic natural web pattern that suggests both a rhythmic beat, as well as, a guide to what can be seen within the pattern through my eyes. In my more recent works, the pattern is breaking free from the canvas and into the sculptural formation realm, revealing light, shadow and reflective color.

3. In your role as the head varsity basketball coach and resident artist at Kenner Discovery Health and Sciences Academy High School, how do you integrate your artistic practice with your coaching responsibilities? Do you find any parallels between coaching and creating art?

I am thankful to be in a position to teach the best of both worlds….Art and Basketball. They are more similar than people think. In the studio I work to inspire my students to go through the creative process by finding inspiration, setting a goal and implementing the plan. Half the battle in both art and basketball is preparation. When something does not look or feel right in the artwork, adjustments are made. On the court, adjustments are made based on each situation or defense. In the classroom I teach the fundamentals and provide tools and ideas to make a successful artwork. In basketball, once the players understand the fundamentals and the basic elements of the game, you then can string it all together to choreograph certain plays and movements. In order to play jazz you must understand the basic notes and elements. Coaching basketball is an art. I am the choreographer or conductor who helps and inspires the team/class to come together to perform like a ballet or orchestra.

4. How do you see the role of critical feedback and public reception in shaping or challenging your artistic direction?

Critical feedback and public reception do play a part in shaping my artistic direction to some extent, but staying true to your own artistic vision and creating work that comes from the heart shines much more than work made for others. If you have a great concept and people respond to it in a positive way, you gotta use it as fuel to develop it further. One of my favorite moments of an art opening is observing people’s reactions to the artwork. Great ideas emerge when discussing art with others.

5. As an artist with a significant body of work that intersects with both personal and universal themes, what future projects or explorations are you most excited about, and how do you envision them contributing to your ongoing investigation into life and nature?

I am excited to continue developing my “Dissection-Variation” Series where the pattern brush strokes are being hand cut out of the canvas or vinyl then formed off the wall. The works play with color, reflective light, shadow and form. I am also interested in ideas surrounding the speed of light and harnessing light. These projects are building upon the themes of life and nature. There is a lot more to create and explore!

7. Get inspired!

INSTAGRAM: @barnitzart
REPRESENTED BY: flavio Dolce Art Projects