Peter Mathios

Acrylic

Albany, OR, US

The outdoors are always calling and they are the driving force behind my art. As an artist from the Willamette Valley in Oregon, I draw inspiration from time spent trail running, hiking, backpacking, hunting, fishing, and skiing, where these experiences shape both my creative vision and process. My highly realistic painting style grows out of direct encounters with nature, allowing me to share the quiet beauty, fleeting wildlife moments, and meaningful solitude I experience in wild places. By observing subtle shifts in light, animal behavior, and the mood of the landscape, I form a deep connection that I carry into the studio, where I build each painting through thin layers of acrylic washes to create depth, texture, and atmosphere. While I begin with photographic references to establish composition and accuracy, I ultimately work intuitively, refining values and focus to capture both detail and the spirit of a place. My goal is to create more than an image, but an experience that draws the viewer into the scene and encourages a deeper connection with the natural world. I earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of California, Davis in 1993 and have received numerous honors, including being named the 2009 International Ducks Unlimited Artist of the Year, and my conservation stamps and limited edition prints have helped raise millions of dollars for conservation efforts across North America.