A career draftsman and designer, Peter Mathews is an artist at heart. From a young age, he loved to draw and paint. He was later voted most artistic in his senior class. Interested in a career that utilized his artistic talents, he compromised on a drafting career, and recently is focused on building a successful residential drafting service.
Peter’s passion for art reemerged years later when his daughter Amy was four years old. “She showed great promise as an artist. I joined Outdoor Painters of Minnesota to show her my shared love of art and encourage her to pursue her talents,” he says.
Peter immersed himself in his art by oil painting in Plein Air and taking classes in pen, ink, and water color. Through his exploration he arrived at his favorite medium. “I found my Art 4 Shelter concept with watercolor. I splatter a bunch of colors on a page and let them flow together. After the paint dries, I incorporate ink drawings with micro pens on the washed background.”
Color is the inspiration for Peter’s art. He enjoys creating colorful flowers and landscapes. Each year, Peter looks forward to Art 4 Shelter, an event that signifies the beginning of spring, “a burst of color after a long winter”.
He has been involved with Art 4 Shelter for six years after learning of the event from his friend Judith Anderson. He has served on the Art 4 Shelter Planning Committee for two years. Peter is passionate about the event: “It’s a great way to channel my passion for art into a good cause,” he says. Creating and donating art to Art 4 Shelter also inspired Peter to start a greeting card company called Watercolor Memories LLC.
Art 4 Shelter has become a family affair for Peter. Graduating with college degrees in graphic arts, journalism, and a minor in printmaking, his daughter Amy has donated her linoleum prints to Art 4 Shelter for two years. Ginny Mathews, Peter’s wife, is also an artist and first-time Art 4 Shelter contributor. A master gardener and textile artist, Ginny is donating her felted artwork to the event.
Linoleum print by Amy Mathews
Amy expresses gratitude to her parents for modeling their artistic talents and supporting her life-long love of art. “I love the fact that I was so blessed that my parents saw my passion for art and nurtured it, without stifling it. Art is a big part of who I am,” says Amy.
Peter is grateful for the role that art plays in his life, serving as his outlet, hobby, family connection, and creative way to collaborate with other artists in support of the community.
Originally from Owatonna, Peter currently lives in Minnetonka. In his spare time, he enjoys art and playing golf.
Peter is a past president and treasurer of the Outdoor Painters of Minnesota. He is also a member of the Minnesota Water Color Society and Metro Sketchers. Peter participated in the Door County Plein Air Festival quick draw in 2018. He was recently juried into the Red Wing small works shows.
You can follow Peter’s creative work on Facebook.