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Ex-firefighter shows paintings

by Allison Silverman

Jerry Peters, firefighter for 30 years and painter for 15, will be displaying some of his works in an exhibit, "Vintage Trucks and New Works," at the Portola Art Gallery in Menlo Park through July.

Mr. Peters, a battalion chief in the Menlo Park Fire Protection District for 10 years, said the transition from firefighting to painting happened naturally because of his interest in art, and with the help of his wife.

She works at Foothill College, and seeing him bored with retirement suggested they both take classes there. Mr. Peters happened across a drawing class, and soon completed many other art classes, experimenting with various mediums and techniques. He said prefers acrylics because of their short drying time.

"Vintage Trucks and New Works" will feature 20 paintings, including many of his signature acrylics of old trucks. He saw the first three of these trucks while driving with his wife through Napa; they inspired a number of his earliest works and continue to influence his art today.

However, Mr. Peters has also been "branching out," he said, adding to his repertoire more outdoor scenes and still lives, such as flowers and cups of cappuccino coffee. The variety of subjects are "a little eclectic right now," he said.

Portola Art Gallery is in the Allied Arts Guild at 75 Arbor Road in Menlo Park. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. A reception for the artists will be held Saturday, July 7, from 1 to 4 p.m.

Go to jppetersart.com to see more of his art.