Peter Kotka was born February 1951, to an English mother and Estonian father. He started his working life as a tool maker and designer of aluminium extrusion dies, but began to paint in 1979. Entirely self-taught he turned professional in 1983.
Peter has an absolute love of oil painting and especially admires the masters of Dutch painting of the 17th century which is reflected in his own work. In 1995 after seeing the work of Estonian artist Olay Maran, Peter decided to review his paintings and started researching ‘Still Life’ painters such as Willem Kalf and De Heem. After experimenting with priming his own panels and canvases with different colours, then painting with thick and thin paint and glazing on top, in the way of the old masters, he has developed a style with detail and atmosphere that is essential in his portrayal of fine wine, fruit and cheeses etc;
In a quirky and sometimes conceptual world, Peter makes no apologies for producing traditional subjects where the craftsmanship is evident in every brushstroke. His paintings bring much joy and pleasure to those who understand he has an obvious and underlying love of handling paint and observing his subject using techniques that take many years to acquire. Recently he has changed the view point for some of his paintings to give them a bold contemporary look.
Peter Kotka originals are in private collections all over the world, with some noted collectors. Peter was the best selling artist in a prestigious Still Life exhibition in California and after touring California and Arizona with three successful shows he went on to exhibit in a number of one man shows in the UK. He has won several prizes in Californian exhibitions leading a renowned San Diego art critic to say of him, “Peter Kotka is the most technically gifted and innovative artist I have seen in 10 years”
Peter is listed in the latest edition of ‘Artists in Britain since 1949’ a two volume edition of who’s who in British art.
Alexander Gallery, Bath * Rowles Fine Art, Ludlow * Greenstage Gallery, Bishop's Frome
The Albany Gallery, Cardiff * Art Decor Gallery, Whalley * Harbour Lights Gallery, Porthgain
Ffin y Parc Gallery, Llanrwst
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