The Peto Studio and Museum.         

Wow!  I just looked and was surprised to see that I have not contributed to this blog in almost two months!  Where have I been and what am I doing?

Well, as everyone knows, life has a way of getting away from us when we least expect it, even if we love what we do.

So, my time has been taken up with a large variety of things including long overdue home projects, sailing, dog-care responsibilities, and a bit of photography!

I am continuing to shoot, especially on weekends and especially sailing photos--that will never end. I have also been involved in several shows, including FUN TIME! in Red Bank and my solo show at the Grunin Foundation Corporate offices, and preparing for several shows, including the Summer Arts Festival, which will be in Toms River on August 17th (what happened to July?).

In addition I have agreed to serve on the board of trustees of the John F. Peto Studio Museum here in Island Heights.  I have long been associated with this institution, as a member, an exhibitor, and financial supporter (very modestly). I have also attended many of their excellent free summer concerts--which are always in the evening with wonderful music, great vibes, and a perfect picnic atmosphere.  

Peto was an oil painter and master of the still life genre known as tromp l'oeil, or fool the eye. In his paintings, he represented objects at their actual size.  He arranged his subject matter in shallow space, using the shadow of the objects to suggest depth without the eye seeing actual depth--so that what the viewer sees conveys a pleasant but disturbing sense of confusion.  Although he is not as famous as his contemporary William Harnett, Peto's painting hang in museums across the county, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

After his birth and training in Philadelphia, Peto settled with his family in Island Heights, then a small Methodist camp meeting community. He build his home there and it is a true Victorian gem and work of art.  It is a museum and contains many of the objects found in his paintings.  

The Board of Trustees oversees the museum, its collections and its exhibits.  I am on the finance, arts, and community relations committees.  There is much to be done, but I am looking forward to the challenges!

Anyway, that's it for now--got to get ready for a small show tomorrow.  Wish me luck!