Earl R. Peternell has been a professional artist and painter for over 40 years, having studied at the Chicago Art Institute, the American Academy or Art, and later with many well known artists. After art schools and college, he worked out of his own studio doing both commercial and fine art, teaching painting and related subjects. In addition to graphic design, illustrations, and all aspects of fine art painting, he worked as an art director for many fortune 500 companies including publishing and advertising art. He also held classes in painting at the same time. As a member of many prestigious art organizations including the Palette and Chisel Academy, he has had many one man shows, including galleries, universities, and has been represented by numerous Art Galleries, both in the Naples area and the Midwest. He has been teaching painting in at least six art institutions in addition to his own teaching studio and art school in Michigan, where he spends summers. Peternell and his wife, also a painter, live along the shore of Lake Michigan during the summers and in Naples, Florida in the winter months, where they maintain a home and studio. He considers himself “A painter who teaches, rather than a teacher who also paints”. It is a rare day that he does not spend time at an easel or drawing board.
