These paintings were produced using egg tempera paint in multiple successive translucent layers on wood or masonite panels. The panels were painstakingly prepared on all surfaces, including the edges, with a hide glue pure white gesso for brilliant luminosity of the paint. The layers of gesso were sanded smooth by hand. Artist Peter Muzyka creates his own panels as well as the paintings. A short discription of the egg tempera process can be found on the last page in this site. To order a limited edition print of any painting listed, please click on the image and you will be directed to the order form page. Or, if you wish, contact Peter Muzyka at peter@petermuzyka.com.
_
"Window on Georgia"
"Georgia Lace"
My paintings and photography depict my interest in nature and its effects on us. Working mostly in egg tempera, I am able to capture the varied colors found in nature that are often overlooked by the casual viewer.
The three paintings above represent a trio of egg tempera pieces that I produced in 1984 celebrating the far buildings around the Madison Georgia area. Many of the buildings that I had drawn and painted have since been destroyed and no longer grace the land.
"House of Blues"
"Harboring Dark Secrets"
"The Harris Homestead"
The three paintings above represent 3 different ways in which I work with egg tempera. "House of Blues" is my most used technique. I prepare a birch panel with glue sizing, traditional glue gesso with 6 to 7 layers on both sides and edges, finely sanded. Then I sketch out my basic composition. I follow this step with a coat of egg tempera tint for a color mood. I then detail all my main features with a "black" mixture of ultramarine blue and burnt umber. I follow this step by washing in my highlights with translucent white. I then begin my work of building many layers of color until finished. Purchase
"House of Blues" in a limited edition print for $75. (Includes S&H in the United States. Other countries will be billed at current rates.)
The second painting, "Harboring Dark Secrets" represents the technique I often use when working on watercolor paper. I size the paper and lightly gesso it with the same gesso I use on panel. I then sketch my composition with pastels and build my initial color layout with pastels. The I use several layers of egg tempera paint to finish my work. Of course, I use very heavy watercolor paper and make sure that the paper lays flat before painting it so that it has no curl which may cause the paint to crack. Purchase
"Harboring Dark Secrets" in a limited edition print for $75. (Includes S&H in the United States. Other countries will be billed at current rates.)
The third painting entitled "The Harris Homestead" is painted on a 100% cotton illustration board and I treat that as I would an opaque watercolor painting. I go from aqueous pencil drawing to a wash lay-in of paint to details in layers of egg tempera. I employ this technique the least often but it is the fastest way to produce a finished product. Purchase
"The Harris Homestead" in a limited edition print for $75. (Includes S&H in the United States. Other countries will be billed at current rates.)
Peter Muzyka prefers to work in egg tempera, a technique which preceeds oil painting and which many art scholars refer to as the 2nd oldest painting technique next to encaustic.
