What is the best thing that I love about my work? The best thing I love about my work is the conviction that paint alone can make something breathe. I am fascinated by the idea that a static surface can become a living presence through patience, control, and technique. Painting allows me to translate reality into something heightened and emotionally charged. It is a slow, demanding process, but that intensity gives the final image its power. When a viewer forgets they are looking at paint, I know the work is alive.
What is my idea of happiness? My idea of happiness is painting freely with time, patience, and total immersion. It is the state where hours disappear and focus becomes absolute. Happiness comes from being fully absorbed in the act of creation without distraction or pressure. It is not about comfort, but about meaningful engagement. In those moments, painting becomes both discipline and freedom.
What is my greatest fear? My greatest fear is wasting potential or falling short of the precision and realism I strive for. I fear complacency more than failure. There is always the sense that I could push further, see deeper, or refine more. This fear drives my work but also challenges me constantly. It keeps me alert, demanding, and unwilling to settle.
What is the trait that I most deplore in myself? The trait I most deplore in myself is the relentless pressure I place on myself to achieve perfection. While it fuels ambition, it can also become exhausting. I am often my own harshest critic. This internal pressure rarely allows me to fully rest or be satisfied. Learning to balance discipline with self-acceptance remains an ongoing struggle.
Which living persons in my profession do I most admire? I admire contemporary artists who are unafraid to break boundaries while maintaining exceptional technical ability. I respect those who push realism beyond imitation into conceptual depth. Courage, rigor, and originality are essential qualities for me. Artists who evolve the language of painting inspire me deeply. Technical mastery combined with vision earns my greatest respect.
What is the thing that I dislike the most in my work? What I dislike most in my work is the constant frustration of time. The ideas come faster than my ability to execute them. Painting demands slowness, yet my imagination moves rapidly. This gap can feel overwhelming and limiting. Still, that tension also reminds me of the seriousness of the process.
When and where was I the happiest, in my work? There have been many happy moments throughout my career, one happy moment that stands out for me was when I first saw all my paintings hanging together at my New York debut at the Louis K. Meisel Gallery. It was the moment when years of effort became visible as a coherent body of work. Standing there, I felt a rare sense of arrival. The thought “I made it” carried both relief and validation. It marked a turning point in my career.
If I could, what would I change about myself? If I could change anything about myself, it would be easing the intensity of the pressure I place on my own expectations. I would allow myself more patience and compassion. The drive would remain, but with less inner conflict. This change would not reduce ambition, only make the journey more sustainable. It is a balance I continue to seek.
What is my greatest achievement in work? My greatest achievement is building an international career in hyperrealism. I have exhibited worldwide and entered major museum collections. Beyond recognition, I am proud of contributing new conceptual directions to the movement. The work continues to evolve rather than repeat itself. That progression matters most to me.
Who is my greatest fan, sponsor, partner in crime? My greatest supporters and partners in crime are my family. My three children, Halle, Robert, and Thomas, give my work deeper meaning. They ground me and remind me why persistence matters. Their belief and presence are constant sources of strength. Everything I do is ultimately connected to them.
Where would I most like to live? I would most like to live and work in Italy, where I currently live. Italy offers history, light, and cultural depth. It provides both inspiration and balance. Living here allows me to connect tradition with contemporary practice. It feels like the right environment for long-term work.
What is my most treasured possession? My most treasured possession is my ability to see the world with precision, patience, and depth. This way of seeing shapes everything I create. It cannot be replaced or taught easily. It is the foundation of my work as an artist. Without it, nothing else would exist.
What is my most marked characteristic? My most marked characteristic is obsessive attention to detail. Every surface, reflection, and texture matters. This focus defines both my process and my results. It requires discipline and endurance. It is also what allows realism to become immersive.
What is my most inspirational location, in my city? My most inspirational locations are cities seen from above. Aerial perspectives, especially of New York, reveal order, rhythm, and abstraction within reality. From this distance, architecture becomes pattern and narrative. These views allow me to reframe the familiar. They strongly influence my compositions.
What is my favorite place to eat and drink, in my city? My favorite place to eat and drink in my hometown is the Vinerina. It offers an immersion into real Italian flavors. The atmosphere is honest and unpretentious. It reflects the same authenticity I value in my work. Simple, focused, and deeply rooted.
What books influenced my life and how? Andy McNab’s Bravo Two Zero influenced my sense of discipline and endurance. Primo Levi’s Se Questo È Un Uomo shaped my understanding of humanity, memory, and moral responsibility. Both books confront extreme conditions with clarity and honesty. They left lasting impressions on how I view resilience and truth. These themes subtly inform my artistic vision.
You Only Die Once. What music would I listen to on my last day? I would listen to music that carries emotional intensity and atmosphere. It would need scale, depth, and resonance. Cigarettes After Sex is a strong example of that mood. The music would be reflective rather than celebratory. It would mirror the emotional weight of a final moment.
Who is my hero or heroine in fiction? My fictional heroes are superheroes such as Superman, Batman, Spider-Man, and the Joker. They represent extremes of morality, struggle, and identity. I am drawn to their contradictions and symbolism. These characters reflect inner conflict and responsibility. They function as modern myths.
Who are my heroes and heroines in real life? My real-life heroes are my three children: Halle, Robert, and Thomas. They embody resilience, curiosity, and honesty. Watching them grow reshapes my perspective daily. They are my greatest motivation.
Which movie would I recommend to see once in a lifetime? The Graduate, starring Dustin Hoffman, is a film I would recommend to see once in a lifetime. It captures uncertainty, transition, and identity with timeless relevance. Its pacing and mood remain powerful. The film speaks quietly but profoundly. It stays with you long after it ends.
What role do stories play in my life and work? Stories are central to my life and work. They shape how I translate cities, architecture, water, and environmental issues into paintings. Each image is more than depiction; it is narrative. Stories give context and emotional weight to realism. Without them, the work would be incomplete.
What do the words “You are the storyteller of your own life” mean to me? They mean taking responsibility for my vision and choices. They emphasize persistence and accountability. I believe lived experience must be translated honestly into work. No one else defines the narrative for you. Art becomes the record of that responsibility.
Which people or companies would I like to work with? I want to continue working with museums, galleries, and cultural institutions. I value partners who support ambitious, meaningful, and large-scale projects. Collaboration should allow depth rather than compromise. Shared vision is essential. These relationships help push work beyond limitations.
What project am I looking forward to working on? I am most excited about continuing large-scale hyperrealist works. The Plastic Waste superhero series remains a key focus. Museum commissions also offer unique challenges and opportunities. These projects combine realism with urgency. They allow painting to engage directly with contemporary issues.
Where can you see me or my work? My work can be seen in major international museums and galleries. I am currently showing at the Museum Frieder Burda in Baden-Baden, Germany. My galleries are located worldwide and range from New York’s Louis K. Meisel Gallery to the Rarity Gallery in Mykonos. The work continues to travel globally. Visibility remains an important part of its dialogue.
What do the words “Passion Never Retires” mean to me? They mean that creative drive does not fade with time. Commitment to improvement is lifelong. Experience deepens intensity rather than dulling it. Art remains a constant pursuit. Passion evolves but never disappears.
Which creative heroines should Peter invite to tell their story? Yayoi Kusama is a creative heroine who should be invited to tell her story. Her work represents perseverance, obsession, and vision. She has transformed personal struggle into universal language. Her influence spans generations. Her story is essential.
How can you contact me? I can be contacted through my representing galleries and museums. These institutions manage professional inquiries and collaborations. They ensure projects align with my practice.