A short 18-mile drive from the Pacific Ocean, the greater Fallbrook area is well known for its gently rolling hills, lush groves, ancient oak trees, equestrian and walking trails, riparian areas, nature preserves, and Mediterranean climate.
Artist profile: Peter Mitten
Sculptor Peter Mitten moved to Fallbrook in 1997 to work with
the then budding Artworks of Fallbrook foundry. Having 20 years of experience in
fine art bronze casting, Mitten was eager to embark on a focused effort to build
a new body of sculptural work. He found a great supportive atmosphere in the
foundry, enabling him to do some most ambitious works.
Since coming to Fallbrook, the imagery and structure of his sculptures continue
to be formed by landscape studies. The hills and valleys locally have inspired
many of his works. Working in a large studio space like the Art Works, and
sharing this space with other experienced sculptors, allows expression in sizes
that address human scale, as well as architecture.
In a sense, Mitten has come “full circle” since architecture had been a vital
interest during earlier college days. An initial pursuit of architectural
engineering had ended with a challenging calculus class. Mitten turned to his
skills in drawing and sculpting to finish undergrad studies as an art major.
The return to an “architectonic” style is evidenced in much of the current work.
The recent completion of “Yeibichai” for a Santa Fe gallery is a good example of
that concept. This is a sculpture designed to be experienced by walking through
and around. Mitten says his pieces “speak to the forces which create form in
nature, rather than simply imitating the appearance of nature.”
Today Mitten works in a converted studio barn east of Fallbrook on a property
where he lives with his wife Kathleen. The surrounding landscape continues to be
a source of inspiration. Peter Mitten’s work is in collections throughout
Southern California. He has completed public works in Boston and Dallas, as well
as regionally. Recently he designed an idea for a public sculpture in Fallbrook,
appealing to the rich agriculture.
Text and top image originally appeared in The
Village News, December 3, 2004. Bottom image: "Aquifer" 2003, cast and
welded aluminum, 78"x54"X2", Peter Mitten.
about fallbrook
Sculptor Peter Mitten moved to Fallbrook in 1997 to work with
the then budding Artworks of Fallbrook foundry. Having 20 years of experience in
fine art bronze casting, Mitten was eager to embark on a focused effort to build
a new body of sculptural work. He found a great supportive atmosphere in the
foundry, enabling him to do some most ambitious works.
Today Mitten works in a converted studio barn east of Fallbrook on a property
where he lives with his wife Kathleen. The surrounding landscape continues to be
a source of inspiration. Peter Mitten’s work is in collections throughout
Southern California. He has completed public works in Boston and Dallas, as well
as regionally. Recently he designed an idea for a public sculpture in Fallbrook,
appealing to the rich agriculture.