"If you want to find the secrets of the universe, think in terms of energy, frequency, and
vibration." - Nicola Tesla
"The Landscape (as mathematical space) is the space of possibilities - a schematic
representation of all the possible environments permitted by theory." - Leonard Susskind
It is within this context of a search for fundamental forces that I find inspiration. It was the beginning of my painting language that has developed in recent years, through an interest in the parity of scale of the absolutely small, the infinitely large, and the physics behind nature's generation of pattern. The essence of painting, color, form, and surface are for me the tools to explore the optics of light, the richness of our human associations, and the wonderments of perception.
These newest paintings are to date the most strongly focused on the phenomenon of opticalcolor blending and subtleties of modulations. The geometric configurations have been simplified to assert the primacy of these effects.
Although I speak of scientific origins, the patterns and sequences and repetitions all contribute to a tapestry of rich cultural histories. The textile reference is clear, and within the geometric abstraction there are vignettes of color or form that evoke places, times, memories, and emotions.
I continue to look for the elemental that painting can communicate in a unique way and offer a visual joy in its perception. As for process, it is important to note that the paintings are produced entirely freehand. I have a keen interest in the craft of its making and the evidence of my hand, the human scale. - Peter Stephens
