PETER MANTIUS

I am fascinated with the American landscape, a place where climate and geography interact in infinite ways. I am driven to explore this country, simply to see what I have yet to see. The process of painting, in nature, allows me to see more clearly.

I work with oil for its versatility, vibrancy, and texture. Most often, I’m in the field with a pochade box mounted on a tripod, a small canvas panel, and a few brushes. If a painting takes more than a couple of hours, it’s probably not a keeper.

I respect artistic expression in various forms, but the tradition of American Realism guides my practice. Artists from Winslow Homer to Clyde Aspevig have made meaning through the patterns, nuances, and conflicts visible in nature. I’m constantly learning from them as I discover my own methods for exploring our vast, varied, and utterly compelling landscape.