Watercolorist Peter Sandker is VIVA’s Guest Artists for May!

Artist Statement

When I am out in the woods or by the water, I sometimes get a feeling like they are trying to show me something , so I wait, watch, and listen. Eventually I see it, then I go home and put it down on paper the best I can. I’m not trying to say anything with my art, I am only repeating what the earth told me.

Artist Biography

Pete Sandker grew up on a goat farm in the woods of Wisconsin, near Soldiers Grove. For most of his childhood, he spent his time exploring the valleys and hills with his two older brothers and the goats. He began drawing at an early age, mostly animals and trees that he saw every day, but also had an early fascination with the seas and oceans, drawing sea life from the many nautical books his parents gave him.

In Pete’s early teen years, he started focusing on figure drawing in the hopes of becoming a comic book artist, but eventually transitioned back to wildlife drawing and painting.

He lived for a time on the east coast, in Maine and Massachusetts, where he was greatly inspired by the beauty of the rugged coastline and forests.

Peter answers some fun questions!

■ How did you come to focus on your current subject?

I am always in awe of the natural world. I find the smallest insect or blade of grass far more interesting than any architecture or man made object.

■ Can you articulate what draws you to a particular composition?

Not really.

■ Who or what has strongly influenced your work?

Interesting looking trees.

■ If you could have one work of art in your home from a museum or private collection, what would it be?

One of the puppets from the film “The Dark Crystal”.

■ Why did you decide to work in your chosen medium?

I tried acrylic but couldn’t get the detail I wanted so I switched to watercolor.

■ What’s the most indispensable item in your studio?

Headphones for music.

■ How do you know when a piece of work is finished?

If I find myself hesitating to add more, I stop.

■ From where do you draw your inspiration?

The woods, the river, the ocean, the mountains.

■ What does your studio look like?

Any table, park bench, comfortable patch of grass, etc.

■ Is there anything else you would like to share with us about your work?

Not really.