C/O Peter Ferrari’s Facebook page
For the past several years, Atlanta-born artist Peter Ferrari–known as PLF among dedicated fans and local art scene aficionados–has made quite an impression on local underground art culture. His tubular-infused murals and canvases have become a recognizable style to anyone familiar with street art around town, although his career path is a bit more storied than some of his peers. With direct connections to events and spaces such as Forward Warrior and ABV Gallery, Ferrari is just beginning his career in the visual art world.
Peter talked to CommonCreativ about how he got started, his favorite collabs and artistic freedom.
CC: How did you end up as an artist?
PF: I got my undergrad at Emory in Sociology, then I got my master’s in education at Loyola in Maryland. I was an AMI certified Montessori teacher for six years before I decided to do art full time.
CC: What prompted you to start painting in the public space: murals, businesses, etc.?
PF: I did some illegal graffiti in my youth, but I was never a big “bomber.” I would paint in abandoned buildings and under bridges. It’s a pretty amazing feeling when you’re asked to cover a huge wall with your work. It’s addictive. I fell in love with it from the very beginning. I’ve always liked to take my time when I work. It’s how I learned to paint in aerosol. The move to murals and large-scale works was something I always wanted to try, and I’ve been really lucky to have had so many opportunities to do so.
C/O Peter Ferrari’s Facebook page
CC: How did you first get into the art scene in Atlanta?
PF: I started working with different arts organizations like Living Walls, Streetela, Dodekapus, Wonderroot and ABV, and I met lots of other passionate individuals. Atlanta is a very open city for those willing to work hard, and there are always folks willing to collaborate or connect with you. I’ve been able to make some great relationships over the past couple years and that’s really important to me as an artist. I feel that, as artists, we’re a community within a community, and it’s very important to maintain and nurture what is unique to our city.
C/O Peter Ferrari’s Facebook page
CC: What have been some of your favorite collaborations?
PF: I love to work with other artists—it’s very inspirational. Some of my favorites have been with Sam Parker, Nick Benson and Mike Mauldin. They’re all amazing artists who continue to influence my work.
CC: How do you prep for a show?
PF: Typically the most important part is having something ready to go—having an idea. I go into events thinking about the audience–events such as Camp Bisco or Counterpoint, for example–you want to do something a little bit different than you would for an older crowd. I want to make sure I have all my supplies and have my colors mixed so that there’s no lag time.
CC: Where do you feel most comfortable with your work?
PF: I feel like I’m always pursuing some aesthetic depending on where I’m at in my own creative process. When I’m allowed to follow where I’m at currently, it’s a completely creative process. Not something like, “We want this mural painted like this.” The more freedom I have, the better the work is. I like it more when I’m just given complete creative license. I feel like the client likes it more, too. People respond to my work because of the uniqueness. It has a style. When I’m allowed to follow that I get the best results.
CC: What sort of projects do you have in the works now?
PF: Right now I’m working on a few murals around town for some bigger clients. I’ll be doing some live painting up at Camp Bisco in upstate New York soon with ABV Gallery. I’m going to be working with a few musicians as well on album art and music videos. Also trying to do more drawings and continue to develop a new style that I’ve been messing with for a little while.
For more on Peter Ferrari, check out plfpaint.com.
