Peter Max

Art Appreciation

If I had money, I'd love to buy and own a Peter Max.

To be honest, I learned about Peter Max while on a cruise. Don't get me wrong, I recognized his paintings and illustrations, but I just didn't know the artist behind the art.

As introduced to me by the Carnival Cruise Dream art director, Peter Max was born in Berlin, Germany, lived in China, Israel, and Paris before settling in New York City. He is most recognized for the use of psychedelic shapes and color palettes in his paintings and illustrations during the late 60s and 70s.

He helped raise funds for Lady Liberty's restoration with his "Statue of Liberty" series. He was the official artist for the 1994 World Cup. His work has also been on a Boeing 777 and now on a cruise ship.

A couple of iconic paintings were on display at the cruise ship's art gallery which included the Umbrella Man and Flag with Hearts.

The art director also told a wonderful story of how Peter Max met his wife, Mary Max. After seeing her with friends on the sidewalk, he rushed to show her a drawing stating, "I've been drawing you all my life." Indeed, Mary Max does show some resemblance to the beautiful woman in his drawings.

You can read more of the iconic artist HERE.

Flag with Hearts, Royal Street, New Orleans

Liberty Head via illustrationart

Taylor Swift via chsartiv

Sources: Wikipedia; http://www.petermax.com/; http://www.artnet.com/artists/peter-max/; http://youtu.be/punS9XAjMJ8; http://www.thirteen.org/metrofocus/2013/06/pop-artist-peter-maxs-inspiration/; http://bio.parkwestgallery.com/artists/Peter-Max; http://www.americanfineartgallery.com/artists/max/max_bio.html; http://petermax.tumblr.com/; http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/ats/events/peter-max-s-patriotic-explorations-in-time-for-july-fourth/article_9eb5f887-7668-572f-bd24-dbac04700ab5.html; http://savannahnow.com/accent/2012-04-23/artist-peter-max-visit-hilton-head-and-meet-public#.UhH7q5JOOSo; http://www.connecticutmag.com/Connecticut-Magazine/September-2012/Front-Row-Q-A-Peter-Max/; http://parkwestgallery.wordpress.com/2009/07/17/how-artist-peter-max-met-his-muse/; http://www.nwitimes.com/entertainment/columnists/molly-woulfe/article_c0a49c91-ab85-5b6e-b16a-68d4e703bd83.html; http://illustrationart.blogspot.com/2009/05/peter-max.html