Artworks by Josh Peters

Josh Peters is a contemporary abstract artist defined by his large-scale canvases and striking juxtaposition of colors. In the initial stages of his work, Peters works on unstretched canvases directly on the floor of his studio, moving pieces back and forth to the wall to view as they progress. This direct, physical engagement with the picture plane results in richly textured canvases layering a variety of painterly processes. Always evident is a continual exploration that keeps his surfaces unpredictable: inspired by the patina of time-worn metal, chipped paint, and the random vibrant and faded colors he experiences in his daily life, Peters improvises as he paints, following and elaborating on forms and color pairings as they emerge. But his work is more than beauty through controlled chaos; there is structural depth and complexity to his work. A self-taught artist, Peters developed his language of painterly abstraction through an investigative and iterative reworking of his pieces. He has exhibited his work in New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and abroad. He currently keeps a studio in Portland, Oregon.