Irene (1981) After taking classes in oil painting at Pasadena City College and USC, I began to paint several portraits of women. The feature film musical, "Fame" (1980) was one of my favorites and I enjoyed the title song, "Fame" and "Out Here On My Own" which were performed by Irene Cara.
Many other black and white photographs were taken for my photography class. I enjoyed working on the various experimental ideas that were explored inside the lab. Others photos were taken to document objects, events, and one of my favorite dogs.
Design 1 - 1980 (USC Fine Arts Program) Assignment was to select a visual style. I wanted to utilize various geometric shapes and sizes as well as repeat several images in that drawing. Colored pencils as well as magazine clippings were used in the piece.
This photo was taken by our art professor. She asked that we use the photo and represent it in the style that each of us had chosen for that semester. My classmate and I were ill that day, and my class chose to represent us by drawing our names on a cardboard sheet.
Drawing 3 - 1979 - (USC Fine Arts Program) Assignment was to select a topic (fame and fortune and the shattering of that dream) and to provide multiple images to tell that story. Watercolor, black pen, and colored pencils were used in this piece.
"Susanna" (1989) - My final oil painting in the series. I love the music of the Bangles as well as one its band members,
Susanna Hoffs. One of my favorite songs and music videos from the Everything album was "In My Room". My favorite solo song and music video of Susanna is "All I Want".
​Design 3 - 1980 (USC Fine Arts Program) Assignment was to use the class photo (on the left) and continue the selected visual style of various geometric shapes, sizes and repeated images. Colored pencils were used in this piece.
Design 2 - 1980 (USC Fine Arts Program) Assignment was to continue the elected visual style of various geometric shapes, sizes and repeated images. Colored pencils as well as magazine clippings were used in this piece.
My professor in my photography class encouraged me to push the envelope and see how far I could go. I began to experiment and combine several exposed images from photographs that I had taken.
Drawings and Paintings - Joseph D. Peters
Yellowhammer Bird - 1979 - (USC Fine Arts Program) Assignment was to select a subject and to represent it as realistically as we could. Watercolor was used in this piece.
Drawing 2 - 1979 (USC Fine Arts Program) Assignment was to present a story of love and reflections in the drawing. Pencil, black ink, and silk screening were used in this piece.
Drawing 1 - 1978 (Pasadena City College - Summer Fine Arts Class) Assignment was to incorporate several memories of our life in the drawing. Colored pencils and black ink were used in this piece.
This webpage features some of the drawings and paintings that I have completed throughout the years. I took my very first art classes as a junior and senior at La Salle High School. Then, I went on to take two more art classes in the summer at Pasadena City College. Finally, I spent two years studying art history, drawing, painting, silk screening, sculpture, and photography in the USC Fine Arts Program. After I graduated with a B.A in Communication, I went on to take classes in screenwriting as well as directing. My education and skills in art, music, writing, theater, and film have influenced my visual and narrative style. All that I have seen and experienced in my life has lead me towards my greatest passion ... filmmaking.
Design 4 - 1981 (USC Fine Arts Program) Assignment was to take another art form (photo on the left) and to represent that image in a visual style of various geometric shapes, sizes and repeated images. Colored pencils, graphic lettering, and magazine clippings were used in this piece.
Sylvia (1983) - This oil painting was a part of the continuing series of portraits of women. This woman is thinking about
her lover who refuses to give up his first love ... bullfighting. The painting reminds of the film, "Blood and Sand" (1941) which starred Tyrone Power and Rita Hayworth.
"Stephanie" (1984) - I love the music of Fleetwood Mac and Stevie Nicks. This painting was done around the time of her latest solo album, "Wild Heart" as well as band's current album, "Mirage". My favorite song and music video from that album was "Gypsy".