Bio Visual/conceptual mixed media artist Peter Alan was born and raised in Southern California. After earning a Certificate Degree in Graphic Design, UC Irvine, then completing his under-grad at Sonoma State University in Studio Fine Art, History and Psychology, he spent 6 months in Assisi and Rome, Italy. There, Alan received a mentorship from a local native Italian painter that ignited his career choice to make art professionally. Alan’s collective works on paper and panels range from Contemporary Realism, Abstraction and Responsive to Experimental, tinkering with any material art-makeable at reach. Since 1999, he has held a number of painting studios in California making art for galleries, non-gallery venues and private collectors throughout mainly Los Angeles and Sonoma County. Most recently since 2018, Alan produces artwork from the remnant ash and debris collected from his Glen Ellen home/painting studio lost in 2017 Nuns Wildfire. As a revisit to the Jasper John's "flag" motif, the American and also the California flag depict a kind recycled fire art through Art Povre, Deconstructionism and Symbolism. And in the context loss and destruction, his "Wildfire" series depicts insightful sensibility and sensitively. As dynamically creative documentations for not only his recovery and healing, the series stands for his stricken community as well to have more than hope -- moreover to be inspired to move forward through recovery, reconstruction and healing. |
Artist Statement (Sept 2018)
“The American flag as the mind already knows it, but execution complicates the representation and invites close inspection. “
Jasper Johns.
Artist Statement, 2018
In repercussion to the Nuns Wildfire of October 2017 burning down my Glen Ellen home and painting studio, initially I saw only complete loss and ruin. Then…. the black ash was compelling and alluring. Also the greys. Earthtones. And whites. Subsequently an art store emerged as free art supplies as remnant ash debris for my next painting palette. Additionally there were survived charred planks of wood, enough to cut longitudinal strips as stripes for visiting John’s “flag” motif. Because the square-shaped objects of recognized electrical devices, toaster-over trays and picture frames completed the envisioned composition, my loss shifted to opportunity.
In my 2001-02 “911” responsive series, collaged news media imagery depicted a kind of documentation of our tragic National incident abroad; but this time here in Sonoma County, this next series work will come much closer from home and a hell of lot more personal. While awaiting a new studio space Oct-Feb 2018, I had been drawing out my direction on Emergency Response Organization’s handouts, as well as in a donated sketchbook. With the 3-dimensional remnant debris to be recycled and arranged into “organized chaos”, I further printed ink-jet images of the National and California flag upon the handout and sketchbook pages. This series entitled “Wildfire: an assault on humanity, hitting home” launches from most personal loss, but then rising into a play of 3D fire art Assemblage on 2D collaged plywood surfaces. Mounted on plywood panels, then to push back the representational imagery, enamel spray of stencil, script and text gives further layers -- also as an homage to the pioneering NY graffiti artists. Furthermore the fresco plaster and gesso sets up an opportunity for the sealing resin to render further heighten detail as color and forms rise to the surface – technician and “process art” inspired by 1960’s artist, Eva Hesse.
From the "flag" motif, my concept further journeyed into a more playful and humorous "culinary" context. Upon cutting a cross-sectional cut of survived beam of charred wood, the piece of wood presented itself as a perfect replica piece of meat -- "charwildfired and well-done" and recovered flying pans for "deep-pan wildfried" compositions. My exploring mind led my context to evolve into a floral motif with a survived pumpkin shell and its seeds, rags and glass objects --reminding the works of Chihuly and O'Keeffe.
In creating these "fire art" compositions atop mixed media text and imagery , I hope to draw in the viewer to investigate the details and not be disappointed by their discoveries, but engaged visually and conceptually what it all means. What it means to take things lost further into something gained. For me it’s about process where I started and how much I’ve accomplished. Starting with grief and having an outlet for it, then all this has to be about its art: a process of instinctual exploration with the content, concept and context, then to offer up hope, inspiration and moving forward for so many stricken with their own past loss and grief.
Jasper Johns.
Artist Statement, 2018
In repercussion to the Nuns Wildfire of October 2017 burning down my Glen Ellen home and painting studio, initially I saw only complete loss and ruin. Then…. the black ash was compelling and alluring. Also the greys. Earthtones. And whites. Subsequently an art store emerged as free art supplies as remnant ash debris for my next painting palette. Additionally there were survived charred planks of wood, enough to cut longitudinal strips as stripes for visiting John’s “flag” motif. Because the square-shaped objects of recognized electrical devices, toaster-over trays and picture frames completed the envisioned composition, my loss shifted to opportunity.
In my 2001-02 “911” responsive series, collaged news media imagery depicted a kind of documentation of our tragic National incident abroad; but this time here in Sonoma County, this next series work will come much closer from home and a hell of lot more personal. While awaiting a new studio space Oct-Feb 2018, I had been drawing out my direction on Emergency Response Organization’s handouts, as well as in a donated sketchbook. With the 3-dimensional remnant debris to be recycled and arranged into “organized chaos”, I further printed ink-jet images of the National and California flag upon the handout and sketchbook pages. This series entitled “Wildfire: an assault on humanity, hitting home” launches from most personal loss, but then rising into a play of 3D fire art Assemblage on 2D collaged plywood surfaces. Mounted on plywood panels, then to push back the representational imagery, enamel spray of stencil, script and text gives further layers -- also as an homage to the pioneering NY graffiti artists. Furthermore the fresco plaster and gesso sets up an opportunity for the sealing resin to render further heighten detail as color and forms rise to the surface – technician and “process art” inspired by 1960’s artist, Eva Hesse.
From the "flag" motif, my concept further journeyed into a more playful and humorous "culinary" context. Upon cutting a cross-sectional cut of survived beam of charred wood, the piece of wood presented itself as a perfect replica piece of meat -- "charwildfired and well-done" and recovered flying pans for "deep-pan wildfried" compositions. My exploring mind led my context to evolve into a floral motif with a survived pumpkin shell and its seeds, rags and glass objects --reminding the works of Chihuly and O'Keeffe.
In creating these "fire art" compositions atop mixed media text and imagery , I hope to draw in the viewer to investigate the details and not be disappointed by their discoveries, but engaged visually and conceptually what it all means. What it means to take things lost further into something gained. For me it’s about process where I started and how much I’ve accomplished. Starting with grief and having an outlet for it, then all this has to be about its art: a process of instinctual exploration with the content, concept and context, then to offer up hope, inspiration and moving forward for so many stricken with their own past loss and grief.
Studios

p e t e r a l a n
v i s u a l | c o n c e p t u a l m i x e d m e d i a a r t i s t
1969 born, Orange County, CA
1999 professional art practice established, Sonoma County, CA
Education
2020 Certificate Degree, Santa Rosa Community College, Santa Rosa, CA, Graphic Design
2002 Certificate Degree, Taking the Leap, Berkeley, CA, Art/business
1998 BA, Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park, CA, Fine Art, History, Psych
1994 Transfer, Orange Coast College, Costa Mesa, CA, General & Studio Art
1992 Certificate Degree, UC Irvine, Irvine, CA, Computer Graphic Design
Related Experience
2013 Resident Artist, mural production, Youth build, Santa Rosa, CA
’06-‘10 Gallery Painting/Installation/Post-event, Los Angeles, CA
'03-'05 Studio Guest (F. Ryan), UCLA Warner Studios, Culver City, CA
’01-’02 Art Teacher, M. Collins Cherry Valley Elementary, Petaluma, CA
’00-'02 Tech. Assistant, SSU, Rohnert Park, CA, Tool shop monitor
’98-’99 Overseas study, Assisi and Rome, Italy, Painting mentorship and Work Exchange
Solo Exhibitions
2020 "Wildfire elements series", City Hall of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa, CA
2010 "Auction", Burkina Faso flood-victim Benefit, Culver City, CA
2010 "Evo", New Loft Space, Los Angeles, CA
2009 "Open-Studio-Warming Event", Culver City Art District, CA
2009 "Evo II", 36 collective", Evo South, Los Angeles, CA
2008 "Evo", 30 collective", Evo/South, Los Angeles, CA
2008 "Ramones", Displayed works, Red Pearl, Los Angeles, CA
2007 "naughty school concubine", Live sketch, e3rd St., LA, CA
2004 “Mixed”, Be Well Chiropractic, Encino, CA
Group Exhibitions
2021 "Way to Sustainability Conference Virtual Art Gallery, Whova platform.
Cassidy Giorgi & Sara Johnson, California State University, Chico
2019 "Sonoma County Reflects on 2017 Wildfires", Finley Complex, Santa Rosa, CA
2019 "Consignment" | Rebuild Northbay Foundation, Sonoma CA
2019 "Lines of fire | Lines of ice", Gallery Bergen, Panamas, NJ
2018 "Whimsical and whimsy", Santa Rosa Arts Center, Santa Rosa CA
2018 "Open Studio popup", The Grove St. Art Project , Sonoma, CA
2018 "From fire, love rises", Consignment for retail store, Sonoma Valley Art Museum, Sonoma, CA
2018 “Renewal through art”, Petaluma Arts Association, Petaluma, CA
2015 "Surface", Los Angeles, CA
2013 "Art in the Garden", Juliet, Santa Rosa, CA
2013 "ABZ etcetera", Sebastopol Center for the Arts, Sebastopol, CA
2011 "Entartete Kunst", Los Angeles, CA
2010 "tread", e3rd, Downtown Los Angeles, CA
2010 "Group show", Cigars, Downtown Los Angeles, CA
2010 "Dreams on Canvas, Circle of Care Foundation, LA, CA
2009 "With Nikki Russo", PA Studio, Culver City Art District, CA
2009 "August Venue", Beatniks, St. Charles, MO
2009 "Honoring Life II", Spring Event, Woodland Hills, CA
2008 "Honoring life", Auction, Woodland Hills, CA
2008 "LA tonite", 2nd St. Cigars Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
2008 "xx/xy", Hanger 1018, Los Angeles, CA
2008 "groupies", Monte Cristo, Los Angeles, CA
2008 "live sketch performance 4", e3rd, Los Angeles, CA
2007 "Rockit", The Grind, Mar Vista, CA
2007 "walls on bricks", Weiland, Los Angeles, CA
2007 "Body & Mind", Core Clinic, San Jose, CA
2007 "art of nightclubbing", IVAR, Hollywood, CA
2007 "art. food. music.", Tangiers, Los Feliz, CA
2007 "Art Display", Miss Kitty's Parlor @ Dragonfly, Hollywood, CA
2007 "collab with Frank Ryan", e3rd St. lounge, Los Angeles, CA
2007 "process monica", Star Factory, Los Angeles, CA
2007 "neighbor affair", Studio 2921, Culver City, CA
2007 "Mayapalooza", Maya De Leone, Pasadena, CA
2007 "fantasy art", Cigars 2nd St. gallery, Los Angeles, CA
2007 "abstractions", Royal Claytons, Los Angeles, CA
2006 "my space... in process 2", IVAR, Hollywood, CA
2006 "my space.. in process", The Monte Christo, Hollywood, CA
2005 “TOO LIPS”, Boardners, Hollywood, CA
2004 “Peace of Art”, Keller Williams, Marina Del Rey, CA
2004 consigned work, SOHO gallery, Studio City, CA
2003 “Floating to the surface”, 5900 St., Emeryville, CA
2002 consigned work, Hang, 567 Sutter St., San Francisco, CA
2001 “Reconstructing Reality” City of Oakland Gallery, Oakland, CA
2000 “Collaborations”, Edward Jones, Sebastopol, CA
1999 “Cheap Art Salon”, Campus Gallery, SSU, Rohnert Park, CA
1998 “Cheap Art Salon”, Campus Gallery, SSU, Rohnert Park, CA
Auctions/Donation:
2018 "Display and auction", Joseph George and The Brit George Foundation, San Jose, CA
2013 mural installation, Youth build, Santa Rosa, CA
2011 "Big Dreams", Eagle Rock Educational Foundation, Eagle Rock, CA
Review and Award:
2018 KTVU, Sacramento, San Francisco, Los Angeles, CA, Art Rises from Ashes of Sonoma Fire, by Macy Jenkins
2018 SF Chronical, “Artists find new life, incentive” by Kevin Fagan, 07.09.18
2018 SF Chronicle, “6 months after Wildfires”, by Kevin Fagan, 04.08.18
2017 Cinesource, “Trial by fire: loss and continuation,” by Ellie Morosoli, 2.1.17
2008 "Evo: downtown new green condos, Los Angeles Times, Home and Garden, October 2, 2008
2008 5th place, "spotlight V", xhibit.org online competition
2008 2nd place, "Spotlight IV", xhibit.org online competition
2007 1st place, “Body & Mind" International Art Competition. Selected by art consultant, A.D. Aldouby, San Jose, CA
2006 2nd place, "spotlight II", xhibit.org online comp.
2005 9th place, "spotlight I", xhibit.org online competition
2001 "Artists make enduring response to 9/11 attack" The Mont Clarion (CA) p. 01, Published 12-25-01B. ROSCOE, STAFF WRITER
Commissions and Collectors
2021 Monica Funchi, Glen Ellen, CA
2021 Emily Halpern, Los Angeles, CA
2021 Amy Goossens, New York, NY
2021 pending client-collector, Los Angeles, CA
2021 pending client-collector, Los Angeles, CA
2021 Ashley Rhode, Los Angeles, CA
2021 Paul and Stacie Cox, Pacific Palisades, CA
2020 Rachel Wolfe, Oslo, Norway and USA
2020 Mike and Lisa Sloat, Santa Rosa, CA
2020 Rich Columbini, Santa Rosa, CA
2020 Justin Christian, Los Angeles, CA
2020 Michael and Marla Brimley, Santa Rosa, CA
2020 Steven Myers, San Rafael, CA
2019 Peggy Heiser, Arlington, VA
2019 Emily Berman, Santa Rosa, CA
2019 Rina Faletti, Sonoma, CA
2019 Jennifer Thompson, Sonoma, CA
2018 Jan Rosen, Petaluma, CA
2018 John Kinsman, San Jose, CA
2018 Jay Carlos, Santa Rosa, CA
2018 Payton Erion, Windsor, CA
2016 Stephen Thompson, Glen Ellen, CA
2015 Christopher and Jeanie Sable, Sonoma, CA
2015 Michael Bennet, Sonoma, CA
2014 Jim and Gail Seaver, Glen Ellen, CA
2013 Colleen McCory, Rohnert Park, CA
2011 Paul and Stacie Cox, Santa Monica, CA
2011 Eagle Rock Educational Foundation, CA
2011 Denny Vinar, Minneapolis, MN
2010 Stacia Vinar, Venice, CA
2010 Camille Rosenblatt, Los Angeles, CA
2010 Jason Ha, Los Angeles, CA
2010 Danuta Rothschild, Los Angeles, CA
2010 Dramane Kone, Los Angeles, CA
2010 Bill Heiser, San Francisco, CA
2009 Mike Mosseri, Los Angeles, CA
2009 Barri Lucci, Los Angeles, CA
2009 Dave Meadows, St. Louis, MO
2009 Alain Lehmuth, St. Peters, MO
2009 Paul and Stacie Cox, Santa Monica, CA
2009 Amber Allison, Los Angeles, CA
2009 Paul Karlson, Los Angeles, CA
2009 Cat Switzer, West Hollywood, CA
2009 Nicole Drake, Los Angeles, CA
2009 Tracey McCormick, Beverly Hills, CA
2009 Sherry Kay Harryman, Scottsdale, AZ
2009 Judd Murray, Albequerque, NM
2009 Nikki Russo, Los Angeles, CA
2009 Frank Elliot, Culver City, CA
2009 Mike and Stephanie McKeever, Manhattan Beach, CA
2008 Monica Ford, Los Angeles, CA
2008 Peggy Heiser, Arlington, VA
2008 Paul Thornton, Boise, ID
2008 Honoring Life auctionee, CA
2008 Alicia Sixtos, Los Angeles, CA
2008 Fusion Restaurant, San Diego, CA
2007 Monica Ford, Los Angeles, CA
2007 Tracy McCormick, Tempe, AZ / Los Angeles,CA
2007 Jackie Orchard, Pinellao, FL
2007 Alley Douros, Salt Lake City, UT
2007 Jason Ha, Los Angeles, CA
2007 Maya De Leon, Pasadena, CA
2007 Asra Iftekaruddin, Los Angeles, CA
2006 Gina Hansen, Sherman Oaks, CA
2006 Kristina Eil, Ventura, CA
2006 Robyn Williams, Manhattan Beach, CA
2006 Shehzod and Shafina Thawer, Sherman Oaks, CA
2006 Angelique Hennessey, Los Feliz, CA
2005 Keller Williams, Marina Del Rey, CA
2005 Erin Nemeier, Brentwood, CA
2004 Brian Benkenstalk, Venice, CA
2004 Chris Tyler, Venice, CA
2004 Dan V. Design, Los Angeles, CA
2004 Julie Jacobs, Santa Cruz, CA
2003 Kristen Schreyer, Santa Barbara, CA
2003 Sara Rogers, San Francisco, CA
1997 Trader Joe’s, store mural, Santa Rosa, CA