About

Evelyn McCorristin Peters

I am inspired by the commitment and hope that arises from understanding and celebrating our natural world. This inspiration fuels my practice and drives me to convey these sentiments through my work.

In my technique, I endeavor to display the colors I feel and see around me. I apply paint, wipe it away, push it around, and build it up again, adding depth to the colors and composition. This process of creation and destruction, layering and revealing, is what makes my art unique.

Evelyn is originally from New Jersey and Delaware, and has now lived in the Sarasota/Manatee county area of Florida for over 25 years. She received a Bachelors Degree from the University of Delaware and has also attended The Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts and Ringling College of Art and Design.

In 1984 Evelyn began exploring the world, visiting 48 of the 50 states as a scenic artist with Ringling Brothers, Barnum & Bailey Circus. She now focuses on the educational and conservation efforts of the family business Squalus Inc who is partnering with the Bishop Museum of Science and Nature to establish a critical care center for Manatees. Evelyn’s travels throughout the United States, Europe, Mexico and Canada along with a year residency in Japan have shown a wide diversity of life and given her the opportunity to share experiences through art.

In 2007 Evelyn began adopting senior Boxers. After adopting five over the years she is now officially a Foster for Boxer Rescue Angels of Florida. Evelyn donates her work to rescues and shelters around the country to raise funds that directly help animals in need and their caretakers.

Evelyn’s work is represented by Define Art Gallery in Sarasota, Florida and held in private collections throughout the US, Canada, Australia, France, Spain and the Netherlands. Evelyn has received residencies and fellowships from Weir Farm National Historic Site, Zion National Park, Jentel Foundation, Dorland Mountain Arts Colony and The Brush Creek Foundation for the Arts. She is a member of the Petticoat Painters, one of the oldest, continuously exhibiting women’s art groups in the United States.

Evelyn shares her 12-acre home Barking Dog Ranch, with her husband Philip, their Boxer Hank, visiting horses, sharks, sea lions and now manatees. Her life is a menagerie of the people, places and happenings of a distinctive south Florida experience.

Giving Back

Giving back to the rescue and shelter community is one of the driving forces of Evelyn's animal paintings. She became involved in rescue in 2007 after adopting a beautiful Boxer girl Tilly from Florida Boxer Rescue. When adopting from a rescue someone from the organization comes to your home to ensure you are a suitable fit for the animals. While Evelyn and her Marvelous Mystery Mutt Johnny were being interviewed FBR saw a painting she created of her first ever dog, Frank. Her giving back had begun! Evelyn donated a gift certificate for a custom portrait to raise funds for FBR. Not only did this start her journey with helping animals it also started her pet portrait business.

Working for rescues and in shelters can be very difficult and at the same time extremely rewarding. Evelyn is in constant awe of the work the volunteers do to help those who have become dependent on us for their well being. On this page are some of the portraits she has done for the gift certificate custom portrait winners over the years. Many of these dogs are rescues themselves and are now in wonderful "furever" homes. Please, when it comes time for you to find your next furry soul mate, adopt. You will be rewarded by your choice in so many, many ways.