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Simultaneously while Peter was painting the women series, Wedgwood of Canada, struck by the brilliancy of Peter’s designs, committed to produce a Limited Edition Porcelain Plate series entitled ‘Eyes of the Child’. There were five new and fresh images of five different wide-eyed children, both girls and boys, each individually depicted with either a bouquet of delicate flowers or of the children’s favorite animals. Peter, at this point in his career had spent over 15 years perfecting his airbrush technique and he had become highly skilled in conveying emotion, especially from the eyes. ‘They are the first thing that I paint, because if I don’t get the eyes right, the painting is worthless. Everything else I can plan technically, but the eyes are magic.’ Each image was out of an edition of 15, 000 plates and they were, by far, an instant success. The plates proved to be so successful that Peter along with Wedgwood was awarded 4 awards in various North American Plate Exhibitions for the first image of the series entitled ‘Little Lady Love’.
It was also during this time in Peter’s career that he met the President of Magna Corporation. Little did Peter know that the president would not only present new and exciting challenges to Peter as an artist but that the two men would begin a long and meaningful relationship that continues for the past 22 years. Magna Corporation being a multi-billion dollar car-part company had many special needs when it came to showcasing their company and choosing artists to reflect that image. This was a corporation that had been built on its ability to perform in specialized areas that were all about ‘detail’. Who better than Peter to maintain that quality and attention and reflect it in the numerous series of paintings that were created exclusively for Magna. Throughout the artist’s relationship with Magna he has painted over 100 different paintings on canvas ranging in average size of 4 x 6 feet. All these paintings are executed in airbrush with some ranging as large as 8 x 12 feet. Peter began in 1982, with his first commissions being a bronze sculpture and then in 1983 with a painting depicting the ‘Conceptor’. Thrilled by his artistry, Magna as well as its subsidiary companies, Tesma International and Cosma all continued to commission Peter throughout the following years for original airbrush paintings, pastels, limited edition canvas giglee prints and unique gifts.
In 1996 Peter was searching to push his art form to a new level. All his previous work had mostly been approached in the ‘high realism’ style and he began to seek avenues to soften his images. He always admired the work of the famous artists of the great French Impressionists and began studying their painting techniques intensely. After many trials and experiments Peter developed a fresh new approach to his work by incorporating some of the very techniques used by the Impressionists. The great change for Peter is that he would drop the airbrush gun and begin for the first time experimenting with pastels. The result of his efforts was a ‘One-Man Show’ – 'Exhibition of Little Pictures' held in 1997.
This exhibition displayed over twenty wonderful and dynamic landscapes of his home in Muskoka. Peter depicted all four seasons of the year incorporating the ideals of the Impressionists but still he maintained his very own distinctive style. It is this style that he prefers and it would be the approach that he continues to work in to the present.
On September 11th, 2001 Peter awoke to the images of black smoke pouring out of the tops of the World Trade Center. He was glued to the television for two solid days and was tragically moved, as we all were, by this event. Peter knew he had to do something. A few days later a close friend, Brad Griffin came by and showed Peter a photo of firefighters hoisting a large American flag above the rubble at Ground Zero. The artist in him could not forget the image and he started to work immediately on a painting. 'In
Memoriam - With Love & Respect from Canada'
was the result of Peter’s efforts. Another friend had told Peter
about the benefit auction planned in New York City to raise funds for
the firefighters and immediately he knew where his painting was
destined to be. So, along with Brad, the two men went to New York City
and donated the original oil painting to Morrell & Company for the
‘Grapes of Grief & Gratitude Benefit Fromme-Douglas’ current project is a special limited edition golf print that is the first ever authorized piece of fine art by Karsten Manufacturing Inc./Ping Golf Equipment. The golf print is set to launch this fall of 2004. This will be a very unique gift of golf art for fine art collectors who are interested in the subject areas of golf photos, golf prints and golf legends. This particular image, 'Significance of a Moment' has a wonderful message behind it which incorporates both Ping’s and the artist’s beliefs when it comes to the importance of family. Peter, the designer, has without a doubt, no limitations or boundaries. Throughout the course of his career he has designed everything from full-scale corporate branding campaigns, company logos, advertising, cars, residential houses, retail stores, restaurants as well as commercial buildings.
Fromme-Douglas’ brilliancy is in his ability to master key techniques that enable him to transfer and articulate his artistic concepts into reality. Being a self-taught computer whiz he has mastered the art of graphic design, digital creation, and photography.
In addition to that he is also a highly knowledgeable and skilled person when it comes to printing of most kinds. Therefore, his design capabilities are not only endless but they are seemingly fluid from start to finish. This fluidity was evident to the Canadian Hardware and Housewares Manufacturers Association who awarded Peter and Heat-Line Corporation of Canada with ‘Best New Canadian Product Award’ in 2001. If that was not enough the Canadian Hardware Retailers Association as well awarded the team ‘Innovative New Product Award’ in the same year.
Due to his expert skills in all the different areas of production, he is able to maximize and utilize to his full advantage all the different components that are necessary to bring a project to its completion. Peter has essentially developed himself into a highly skillful one-man design house. Although he his undeniable talented, Fromme-Douglas attributes his success to a good old-fashioned "obsession with creative pursuit". From cars and wide-eyed children to sophisticated ladies and corporate projects, the results are evident: Peter Fromme-Douglas ‘makes things happen’. He is also an artist with immense sensitivity and passion, whose brush strokes speak of the fire within himself and his viewing public.
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Auction’ which raised
funds for the widows and orphans of the firefighters who sacrificed
their lives while trying to save others. The auctioneer’s hammer
slammed the podium and closed the sale to the tune of approximately
$26, 000 USD. Peter was overwhelmed with joy to know that through his
art he was able to contribute to the ‘big picture’.
