2023 August "It Might Be..." Pen and Ink by Bob Peterson

My background in engineering, photography, and technical illustrating influences my approach to my Abstract black/white works. My self-taught sign painting and pin striping skills that I acquired at a young age are indispensable for drawing techniques that I rely on frequently in the creation of my drawings. All works are pencil or ink and are on either paper or Mylar.

During my many worldwide airplane trips, I’ve always enjoyed viewing landscapes from a plane’s window. Sometimes landscapes at various altitudes appear to me as figures, animals, or imaginary cities. This is how I came to create my: It Might Be… series of drawings. These drawings when viewed from 10 - 15 feet away give the appearance of an abstract work. But, upon viewing them at the normal distance the true suggested subject becomes apparent.

Abstract Realism is a term I’ve coined that describes my black and white works.

I always strive for simplified strong compositions; it’s a feature that’s always present in my work. I recognize a strong composition when I see it. Elements of design must work together in my drawings.

I don’t look for a subject, they just come to me. As a drawing progresses anything is possible. While creating these imaginary landscapes, there is no preplanning or initial sketch. I take a pen or pencil and start drawing somewhere on the paper or Mylar. One line leads to the next line, the next, the next, etc. Each drawing ends up as a creative and challenging journey. One of the most difficult things while producing each of my works is: knowing when to stop.