Layers Upon Layers: Mixed Media Art

Artist Profile: Peter A. Luber

by Cyndi on September 27th, 2007

History

Artist: Peter A. Luber
Website:
Sageous Galleries

Peter, your work is like nothing else I’ve ever seen. How do you describe it?
Small. Real small. And carefully encased in a piece of bygone technology ­ vacuum tubes. These tube (along with larger industrial light bulbs) form a base for images that depict moments that matter to me; moments that I feel deserve the preservation that “sealing” them within glass tubes implies. Plus I like the look when they’re done. ­The tubes entertain, and that in the end is what really matters to the audience.

The Prototype

What is your creative process like?
My creative process is twofold. The first phase is more nuisance than process: I spend several days being haunted by my next piece. During that time the image evolves from a mist of concept into a solid plan for what specifically I’m going to make. Then the fun begins: First, I find a tube that would best contain the image, and then I spend several weeks making the image real. Next I turn architect/engineer/magician as I work out how exactly to get the image into the tube. Finally there are several tense hours (days if things don’t go well) of insertion into the tube and requisite corrections and cleanup. In all, the process lasts about a month, and the final piece usually resembles my original idea. And yes, rock n roll is usually blaring when I am working.

What kind of training did you have which helped you achieve your current level of artistry?
My technical training is based purely on experience—nothing formal. I had been building scale models for decades, and the skills I picked up from that (mostly patience, a steady hand, and the ability to manipulate very small tools) serve me well now. I suppose my liberal arts education, plus 20 years working in the real world, served to train those odd perceptions that help me create in the first place.

Late

Is there a tool or material that you can’t imagine living without?
An Exacto knife with a #11 blade… without a doubt.

Also, Sculpy is extremely valuable to me.

Late, detail

What inspires you to create?
I suppose it’s simply an innate need to pound my thoughts, dreams, and memories into something tangible that other people can experience repeatedly.

What inspires you to keep going when the work gets frustrating or tough?
Got me there! It must be that same need to make an idea real.

The Plan

What is your best piece of advice for those who would like to rise in their level of artistry?
Make something people want. If they don’t like it, it makes no difference how deep and meaningful your work is to you. Do stuff just for you later in your career, after your name alone gets you into the galleries.

What takes up the majority of your time besides your art?
Is there time besides art? If there is, then when I’m outside my art, I’m dreaming.

What are some of your other favorite things?
Sorry; I’m a creature of moderation, not one for favorites. I guess the best book I’ve read is Winter’s Tale by Mark Helprin, and nothing beats a good 21-year-old single malt!

Exhaustion

Related Stories

Vacuum tube sculptures by Peter A Luber
What’s Pipyr up to now?
How to get your work featured on Layers Upon Layers
How to get your work featured on Layers Upon Layers
Bookbinding with Peter Baumgartner

POSTED IN: Artist Profiles, Assemblage, Business tips, Creativity, Mixed Media