After receiving a B.A. and M.A. in studio art from California's Humboldt State University, Peggy moved to New York where she earned a M.F.A in studio art from Columbia University.
Artist's Statement
"I am an honest painter, painting for myself from my point of view, based on my experiences. I have not become an artist – rather, I have always been one. The knowledge of my creativity belongs to me. It is secret. I knew this at an early age and I have carried it with me through many ups and downs. The creative gift is an asset but also a struggle. I respect the struggle and, as I said above, I am no longer fearful of it. I think most of my ideas develop from the tension between progress and struggle, and when the imagery is working I feel success at communicating the essence of that tension.
Because I adhere to my own interests, I am relatively immune from trends and fashion; however, I believe it necessary for me to understand what is occurring in the art world. I communicate my images in a contemporary vocabulary within a historical context. My education is a great asset in this regard. I have vigorously pursued art education both through my work and in academia. I have explored West Coast, East Coast, and international traditions and will continue to do so. The formal issues are very closely tied to my education and I know them well. I also know my chemistry and the other physical issues involved in the craft of painting. I needed to understand all aspects of the art language in order to speak for myself. Most important, I believe I know enough about being human to develop images that speak of this knowledge through the art process. It is, after all, the process that matters. The means is the end."