Peter Karis Works

Artist Peter Karis is an expressionist, painting people, flowers, trees and objects as he interprets them, not as they seem to be.

Karis was born on March 29, 1942 in Jersey City, grew up in Northern New Jersey and at an early age knew art was his calling. He went to college in Ohio, attending Kent State University where in 1964 he received a BFA in painting. Practical concerns turned Karis to advertising where for over 30 years he guided Karis Advertising & Design in Cleveland, Ohio.

Karis's painting career was sparked when Canadian recording artist Ian Thomas selected a painting for his new record album entitled Levity. The result was a Juno Award, the Canadian equivalent of a Grammy, for the best album cover design of the year.

Karis works in acrylic and the subject matter is usually figurative but expressionistic, with maximum color, conveying emotion and power. The work tends to draw you into a memory of your own, more evocative than descriptive, "the viewer has to become a participant," Karis says

Sadly, Peter Karis passed away in January 2015.

AWARDS

1995    "Virtuosity," Art Communication International, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

1994    Group Show Award, Mansfield Art Center, Mansfield, Ohio

1992    Group Show Award, Art Affiliates, Nabisco Brands Gallery, East Hanover, New Jersey

1991    Merit Award, Cooperstown 56th Annual National Exhibition

1991    Jurors Award, Maryland Federation of Art National Show

1991    One Man Show Award, artreach Midewest Contemporary Artist Series, Columbus, Ohio

1989    Merit Award, Clary - Miner Gallery, Buffalo, New York

1988    Juno Award, Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences

1967    Merit Award, Canton Art Institute, Canton, Ohio