Peter Moen

Peter Moen is best known for his colorful portraits and his witty political art; although,  he creates accurate portraits, abstraction plays an important part in most of his work. His medium has been oil paint on large wood panels or canvas; however, he is expanding into installation art. He is currently in graduate school, and is working toward an MFA at San Jose State University. In the 1980’s and 1990’s he worked as an engineer. About 15 years ago, he took a drawing class and found that he could draw! During the last 15 years he has worked on becoming an artist. He has also received an AS degree at San Jose City College in fine arts

He has recently been in several galleries in Walnut Creek, and San Jose, California. He has a piece on display in China, and a piece in a traveling Frida Kahlo exhibition. He will have at least four installation exhibitions in 2019.

He grew up during the 60’s and 70’s in San Jose, California. During his life he has had the opportunity to travel and to do some interesting things: the most interesting was relief work in Beirut Lebanon in 1982 and 1983. His travels have taught him that wherever he goes, the people are the same. Different cultures have different ways of dealing with life, but we all sit and complain about the weather, politics, etc; and we all grocery shop… This is the basis of his political art.

He is most influenced by Robert Beverly Hale and Rembrandt. Robert Beverly Hale was one of the great figure artists. Rembrandt needs no introduction, but Peter especially likes Rembrandt’s economy of marking. Jenny Saville has inspired his mixture of abstraction and academic art. He often leaves parts of the painting unfinished where the theme would not be pushed forward by strict adherence to naturalism.