WOLFEBORO — Art collectors and fans of Lakes Region-based artist Peter Ferber lined up outside The Art Place gallery before the crack of dawn Saturday.

Gallery owner Barbara Gibbs said one gentleman in particular comes to Ferber's annual show very early — at 4:30 a.m. — so he can view and choose which paintings he will purchase. When the doors opened at 9:30 a.m., Ferber unveiled 13 new works and, 15 minutes later, 10 out of the 13 paintings had sold.

Fans say Ferber's works capture the serenity of simpler times at Lake Winnipesaukee, and are nostalgic without being too sweet.

“It's the lake, the memories of times gone by, the wonderful vistas of the lake. It's that feeling, that connection with nature,” said Gibbs.

Ferber, who is known to work into the early morning hours, said he creates most of the paintings in the few months or weeks prior to the annual show. “I'll work long days, seven days a week,” he said, adding that the marathon painting sessions “bring a spontaneity” to the artwork. “I don't over-think each piece, so there are pluses and minuses to working under such pressure.”

Case in point, he completed one acrylic painting called “Last Swim” at 2:30 a.m. Saturday before the show. The scene depicts a favorite swimming spot, looking from the water into a thicket of rich green pine trees on the shore. He explained how he added an orange-toned glaze when he was almost done with the painting and how that step brought the painting to life. “That was at about 12:30 a.m., and when I did the glaze, I was so excited I wanted to finish it,” Ferber said. “Last Swim” is one of Ferber's favorite pieces, even though the painting is somewhat smaller than his other works.

One of the largest pieces unveiled Saturday was “Winnipesaukee Harvest,” an original oil painting depicting a view from Cate's Hill overlooking the southern end of Lake Winnipesaukee and The Broads toward Moultonborough.

This year's works include paintings in watercolor, oil, acrylic and one unique piece, “Boat House Play of Light,” an original cut paper and watercolor. Ferber's subjects include water scenes, landscapes, boathouses, sailboat regattas and even a scene from a 100-year-old camp's attic, called “Attic Limbo.” One of the paintings depicts a Maine coastal theme, “Maine for Sale,” an original watercolor inspired by a trip along coastal Route One, said Ferber.

Friend and fan Bob Simoneau stopped in for the show.

“We own a lot of Peter's pieces,” said Simoneau. “I love Peter's work.” Simoneau, who first visited Lake Winnipesaukee with his family 69 years ago and now lives here, said he purchased a couple of the artist's pieces of rowing scenes on the lake. He and his kids are rowing enthusiasts. Ferber's paintings are displayed in the family's home locally and in a new home in Florida, where he plans to retire next year.

Ferber's work will be on display through Aug. 15 at The Art Place Gallery and Custom Framing shop, 9 N. Main St.
lmulkern@newstote.com

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