Charles Peer | Fine Art & Illustrations

Artist Statement

Profile After receiving his MFA in Painting and Drawing from the University of Arkansas in 1979, Charles Peer opened his studio on historic Main Street in Van Buren, Arkansas. In 1990 he and his family moved to Siloam Springs, Arkansas where he assumed a teaching position in the Department of Visual Arts at John Brown University.

Peer continues to paint his native Arkansas landscape as the framework for exploring his interest and love of color. “I have a particular interest in color combinations that create a richness of surface or that make a painting “sing”. I want to combine the immediacy of drawing with a wonderful intensity of color. Each painting is an adventure to find the right color combinations to relate to the viewer the sense of a special time and place. I continue to find inspiration in the colors I see in landscapes. Most of the locations I paint are local although I find wonderful inspiration from my travels through Europe, particularly, Italy, France, Ireland and Northern England.

Peer is a signature member of the Pastel Society of America and his paintings have been exhibited in numerous galleries in Arkansas. He has served as guest artist, workshop leader and juror for many regional events.

Charles is married to Cecilia and thanks to their daughter and son-in-law, Jordan & Waylon, they are the proud grandparents of Collier and Londan.