Peter Q. Gary  (Biography)



Peter Q. Gary Jr. or Pete (born August 26, 1980), owner of Burke Pro Photo, is a juried member of the Workhouse Artists Association. He is also a decorated "Citizen Hero", government Civilian, and U.S. Marine. While his preferred medium is photography, his interest in art spans beyond your typical mediums. Pete is an abstract thinker and process engineer. From his experiences as an Infantry Marine, a Police Officer, a Division Chief for an Army Command, and his statistician responsibilities today (where he helps psychologists design, report, and analyze surveys and special studies for Department of the Army) he has helped these agencies benefit from his highly artistic nature.

Pete's artistic and analytical abilities developed at a very young age and were mostly conceptual in nature. His early childhood, according to his soon to be released autobiography, was under the wing of a highly abusive alcoholic and drug addicted mother in and around Charlotte, North Carolina. Survival within the confines of motels, trailers, abandoned homes and the like forced Pete to become creative with regard to solving everyday problems in his life.

The diverse environments and experiences in his life have shaped him in a way where he has grown very empathetic of people and their nature. Through his successes and failures in life, both imposed and self-inflicted, Pete would argue that in the end, you're a product of yourself and not your environment.

Through photography, he captures what many critics have described as "the essence of a person". Customers who have commissioned him for portraits and other photographic projects have drawn special attention to how comfortable he makes them feel. They also appreciate his surprisingly sensitive nature which contrasts his physical appearance and upbringing.

His art, typically created on a non-commissioned basis, connects with elements in his life. His most notable piece is "Delivered", where he used art to help his wife experienced a moderate case of post partum. Through this the creation of this work he helped her appreciate her own physical beauty from a perspective she couldn't see. Other pieces are captured in environments where he bonds with a person or population, such as "Hydrant". Here he captures the forgotten remains of a children's asylum in Stanton, Virginia. His greatest satisfaction comes when a person can connect with a piece captured from such a sad environment and describe it as "amazing". Other decorative style works include "Night Cap", "Watching", and the "Masonic Temple".

Digging deeper within his mind you'll find images from his private collection which are only viewable by appointment. Last year in 2010, Pete pulled three of his pieces for a gallery show from a series titled "PEACE" which garnered various reviews and thoughts. "I heard a lot of comments as myself and a couple of other personal guests sat back and observed.  Emotions were split and so were the levels of appreciation. One lady stormed by and said, "That's not Art!" Many artists and patrons stopped to stare and even brought back friends. Some folks jumped back when the saw the third piece. One particular woman cried in the arms of my wife after viewing the works. She shared a personal story with her which amazed me. My conceptual work is created specifically for that reason. I want to touch people and help them... I want to show them how to get beyond social barriers and experiences in life, to become the person they choose to be."

More about Peter can be read at Local Duo Explores life through Photography and at Burke Pro Photo Offers Safe and Affordable Photography.

His works may be viewed, purchased and commissioned at the Workhouse Arts Center 9601 Ox Road, Lorton Virginia. Studio 10, Suite 1011. For a private viewing of his personal collection please contact him directly at (703) 955-6728.

Can't Find us?

Take a look at this map to see where we are on the Workhouse Arts Center Campus: