Pete Nawara
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Artist Statement

The human face captivates me—it is the most visually compelling subject, offering endless nuances of expression and identity. As filmmaker John Ford once said, when asked what he could possibly shoot in the vast emptiness of the desert, "I'm going to shoot the most interesting thing in the world: the human face." That sentiment continues to resonate deeply with my artistic pursuit.

My creative process begins with photography, often inviting subjects to interact with the camera as if it were a mirror, capturing moments of self-reflection. These images are then digitally manipulated, forming compositions that I transfer onto canvas. Using a combination of acrylics, gouache, oil paints, and gold leaf, I render each portrait with flattened fields of color and gestural marks, resulting in larger-than-life representations of my subjects.

Blending traditional techniques with contemporary digital processes, my work explores how we see ourselves and how we are seen by others. It engages with the aesthetic ideals we uphold—both consciously and unconsciously—when we observe the human form. Through this process, I invite reflection on how identity is shaped—not only by how we see ourselves, but also by how we are perceived, and the roles performance and presentation play in forming that image.

Process & Technique

My process combines multiple techniques and stages:

  • Photography: Initial capture where subjects pose as if looking in a mirror, creating an intimate moment of self-reflection
  • Digital Processing: Photos are modified and vectorized into distinct shapes of color using computer software
  • Traditional Media: Images are projected onto canvas and traced, then filled with thinned acrylic paint and gouache markers
  • Finishing: Application of gold leaf and final details to create a contemporary yet traditionally grounded piece
Pete Nawara in studio

Skills & Expertise

Traditional Media

  • Oil
  • Acrylic
  • Gouache
  • Charcoal
  • Mixed Media

Digital Art

  • Photoshop
  • Illustrator
  • Procreate
  • Digital Painting
  • 3D Modeling

Photography

  • Portrait
  • Landscape
  • Street
  • Studio Lighting
  • Post-processing

Education

2005

Parsons Paris School of Design

Paris, France

BFA in Fine Art

2001

Academy of Art College

San Francisco, CA

Graphic Design

1999

Columbia College

Chicago, IL

Graphic Design

Notable Exhibitions

2015

A Cultural Conversation

Chicago, IL

Solo Exhibition

Navy Pier Mural
2013

Art Takes Miami

Miami, FL

Group Exhibition

Scope Art Show
2012

GOLD

Vienna, Austria

Group Exhibition

Belvedere Palace & Museum
2011

Chicago Children's Museum Benefit

Chicago, IL

Live Painting for Auction

2010

The Art Trade

Chicago, IL

Group Exhibition

Ugly Step Sister Art Gallery

Pete Nawara

Creating unique artistic experiences through various mediums and techniques.

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