Opening Reception for The Evolution of SLICE

The Studios of Cocoa Beach, 159 Minutemen Causeway in downtown Cocoa Beach, welcomes back artist Pete Steenland from Daytona, Florida in a solo exhibition “The Evolution of SLICE and Other Works”. This month long exhibits begins with a reception on Saturday, March 4, from 4 to 6 pm.

This exhibit features a painting called SLICE. It evolved through four phases as the painting reveals the image of a dolphin, much like the layers seen as you slice into an agate.. SLICE, Phase 4 The Final Phase has beneath its surface the remnants of all previous phases… and at Studios of Cocoa Beach,  we’ll include a replica of each phase with explanation for the changes made.

Pete loves the underwater world and has an acute appreciation for the intricacy within all living things. Since early childhood he has been inspired by the beauty in even the smallest plants including weeds and marine diatoms, on to the beauty of the greatest of subjects.

Pete’s college education focused on Art and Marine Science with special focus on Scientific Illustration of marine and aquatic organisms. He spent thirty-two years working on the seas as a licensed Merchant Marine Captain and as a Master of Vessels . Now he is fully focused on his vocation as an artist. His works are not limited to marine life, but the tropics prevail in all his paintings with underlying qualities of precision and grace.

Pete says, “All the Arts are about expression. The purpose of my artwork is to express beauty in its various ways through the unlimited, worldwide languages of visual form, color, line and contrast.” His work is created by using any combination of watercolor, gesso, oils, acrylics, Conti-crayon, India ink or other acrylic inks, cold water dye, and sometimes wood stain, crayons and oil pastels. He may even add scraps of plastic and other waste materials, and bling from broken jewelry, metal and glass.

The Opening Reception is a chance to meet Pete and explore his process while enjoying wine and appetizers. The exhibit is on view from February 28 to April 2.  The gallery is open Monday to Saturday from 9 am to 7 pm and 10am  to 3pm on Sundays. For more information on the Studio artists, and classes offered visit www.studiosofcocoabeach.org or follow them on Facebook and Instagram.