Featured Artist Peter Polyak

Artist Peter Polyak presents a fascinating collection of contemporary paintings that explore the human mind and dreams. Visit his website to view more.

 

 

Since childhood, I’ve been captivated by the simple act of drawing. I find endless fascination in the shapes that emerge from lines, spots, and colors. This process has always been more than just a form of expression. It’s a fundamental need, a way to discover and understand life.

 

 

My early years were shaped by classical studies. I learned the techniques and traditions from Hungarian and Italian masters. Through this training, I developed a deep appreciation for form, composition, and the subtleties that define visual storytelling.

 

 

However, my artistic journey truly evolved when I moved to Florida. It was here that I began to explore the complexities of the individual—the person who exists in the space between the conscious and unconscious mind.

 

 

Since I learned airbrushing in the United States, I started mixing all my tools in my painting method. I use pencils, charcoal, sharpies, brushes, and airbrush, blending acrylic and oil back and forth, even if that’s against the rules. This layering of techniques and materials allows me to create textured, multifaceted pieces that bring my vision to life in unexpected ways.

 

 

I find myself drawn to the delicate line between what we know and what we dream. The human experience is a constant interaction between these realms, and I’ve sought to express this through my art. My work aims to capture those moments where reality and imagination overlap, where the surface of a portrait reveals something deeper—symbols and emotions that exist just beyond the visible.

 

 

These are not simply faces; they are windows into the internal worlds we all navigate daily. I am deeply interested in the dreamlike symbols that subtly shape our lives, often unnoticed but always present. In my search for this hidden layer of existence, I have embraced the technique of Automatism. This method allows me to enter a state where my hand is guided not by a fixed idea, but by instinct.

 

 

By removing preconceptions, I open myself to the flow of unconscious thought, letting the lines build forms and creatures that emerge naturally on the canvas. Automatism frees me to explore new worlds without constraints, yet my studied hand still controls the execution. This balance between the unplanned and the deliberate is central to my process.

 

 

Every painting is a dialogue between the known and the unknown, the seen and the unseen. My goal is to invite the viewer into this conversation, to offer a glimpse of the inner landscapes we all carry. It’s not about providing answers, but about creating space for exploration—both for myself and those who engage with the work. In these pieces, I hope to capture the essence of life as it truly is: complex, layered, and always evolving.

 

Peter Polyak invites you to follow on Instagram.

 

 

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