The works of Kevin Peterson, a talented artist from Houston, project an equal amount of pessimism and optimism. At one end, the setting of his impressive and highly-detailed paintings is some dystopian future that indicates the world is already gone on a path of no return. However, the main subjects of his works are children, indicating that there is still hope newer generations will find a way to turn things around.
“My work is about the varied journeys we take through life,” the artist explains. “It’s about growing up and living in a world that is broken. These paintings are about trauma, fear, and loneliness and the strength that it takes to survive and thrive.”
Peterson takes a lot of inspiration for his works from his personal life. He suffered from substance abuse in the past and it was art that helped him turn the page and get better. His oil paintings now depict the consequences of past mistakes and how it’s still possible to have a positive outlook on the future despite them.
“They each contain the contrast of the untainted, young, and innocent against a backdrop of a worn, ragged, and defiled world,” he adds.
You can check out more of Peterson’s works below.
