About the Artist

Biography

Design and composition are the main elements in Kathi Peter’s paintings. Whether she is portraying an equine or canine scene, a commissioned portrait or a local Maine landscape, the play of light and shadow contribute important elements in the finished composition.
Categorized as an American Contemporary Impressionist, her work features contrasting values, bright color and design,that heightens the emotional content of her work. A strong abstract component in her work is evident, but not at the expense of its realistic detail.   

She works in casein; a milk based paint medium, not often used by  artists today. Casein was used by the masters of old.  It became unpopular with most artists when acrylic paint was created. But Kathi prefers the matte earthy colors and finish that she attains with casein paint. Occasionally she might varnish a painting in casein, and the varnishing gives the dried casein painting an appearance of an oil painting. Casein does not need to be varnished, as it is an archival paint. Casein paintings that were done ions ago by the ancient Egyptians, are still in existence today. The decision to varnish or not depends on each painting, its support, and the atmosphere desired. But as an artist who is not limited to casein, Kathi is also known for her watercolor work and oil paintings on copper substrate. She also sometimes mixes casein with acrylic and oil in her newer mixed media works.
 

Kathi and her husband live in Morrill, Maine, on a small  farm. With an education background in fashion illustration and commercial art  garnered in Rome, Italy,while studying at the  Accademia delle Belle Arti, Rome, and at ENALC, she now devotes her talents to mostly equine and animal art. After suffering a stroke in 2006, she still paints full time.....when she isn't in her gardens or with her horses.

 Her artwork has been published in numerous national magazines, including "Equine Images"," Horses In Art", "Carriage Driving World", The USEF "Equestrian Magazine", "Carriage Driving West", "Riding Magazine" and "The Country and Abroad", "Polo Players Edition", "Neurology Now" and "Art Calendar" and in several books; "The Essential Guide to Carriage" , “Equestrian Style -Home Design, Couture, and Collections from the Eclectic to the Elegant", and "The Richeson 75 International Artist's Choice 2008"."  In 2009 Art Horse Magazine showcased Kathi's artwork, along with an interview describing her lifestyle and painting methods. Her work was featured in the 2010 June #56 issue of American Art Collector magazine. Equitrekking, Emmy Winning Lifestyle TV interviewed Kathi in their March 2011 feature.  
The Fall 2011 issue of Stroke Smart magazine featured Kathi's art on the cover with a story about her work and stroke recovery. 
 
Art Horse Magazine 2009 - Sanctuary (.pdf)

 Stroke Smart magazine  


Statement
"From the sanctuary of our small farm nestled in the Maine woods, to the hotbed of horse-country in Lexington, Kentucky, I have found subjects that inspire me to paint them. Light and shadow call out to be put on canvas. I move from realism to abstraction, mixing the two …. I see color, edges, movement and design everywhere I look. I need to paint them. My written word might be limited now, but my visual vocabulary is unlimited.
Casein is my medium of choice, a milk-based medium that has stood the test of time. Its earthy colors with muted hues capture the moment and mood I aspire to create. Yet I am also drawn to transparent watercolor with delicate luminous wash and fine line……and lately to oil paint with its vibrant colors when painted on an archival copper substrate.
With every painting, I am striving to tell a story, trying to invoke a memory and hopefully I can touch a heart."

."My treasures neither clink or glitter, but gleam in the sunlight and neigh in the night." non

  Professional Memberships:

Canine Art Guild 

Anercican Watercolor Society , Associate