Peter Labyak

Peter S. Labyak

2009-03-16T04:31:00.000-07:00

Peter S. Labyak

Virginia Beach - Retired Navy Captain Peter Labyak, 69, lost his battle with melanoma at his home on February 27, 2009.

A 1962 graduate of the US Naval Academy, he enjoyed a distinguished 30 year naval career, in which nearly half was spent on sea duty aboard seven ships and included 10 major deployments in both the Atlantic and Pacific Fleets. He commanded the afloat Oceanographic Unit TWO, USS Mullinnix(DD 944), USS Samuel Gompers(AD 37) and the Atlantic Fleets ASW Training Center. Major shore assignments included Navy Recruiting District New York, Executive Office of the President and Chief of Staff for Training and Tactics for Commander-in-Chief US Atlantic Fleet. Among his awards were the Legion of Merit(3), Meritorious Service(2) and various Viet Nam campaign decorations. He was considered a sub-specialist in anti-submarine warfare, oceanography and marine engineering. He held a MS in Physical Oceanography and was certified to teach science at the secondary school level.

Upon retirement from the Navy in 1992, he taught at Great Bridge Middle School North for five years. He then began a third career and became an exhibiting professional artist. By 2008 he had achieved a reputation as an accomplished miniature oil painter at both local and national level, competing successfully in numerous international competitions. While doing outdoor shows locally and in the Outer Banks, he became a featured artist at galleries in Portsmouth, Virginia Beach, Nags Head and Manteo. He was a member of the Association of Miniature Artists, Miniature Art Society of Florida, the Miniature Painters, Sculptors, and Gravers Society of Washington, D.C., and the Chesapeake Bay Art Association. Until his illness in late 2007, he was an avid golfer and member of Cypress Point Country Club, and also enjoyed gardening and cooking. Pete was a member of the Church of the Ascension Catholic Church and served as an Eucharistic Minister.

Captain Labyak is survived by his loving wife of 45 years, Gail Caroline; three children, Theresa Geisler and husband Captain David A. Geisler, USN of Virginia Beach, Laura Labyak of Virginia Beach, Daniel Labyak and wife, Corrie Labyak of Jacksonville, Florida; five grandchildren, Katherine Geisler, Kristina Geisler, Nicholas Labyak, Camdyn Labyak, and Hogan Peter Labyak; his father, retired Navy Captain Robert W. Labyak and wife, Lou, and a sister, Roberta Moody-Wright and husband, Paul Wright, all of Fort Worth, Texas. He was pre-deceased by his son, Timothy Jon Labyak; his mother, Dorothy Labyak; and two brothers, Jon and Fred Labyak.

The family requests that donations be made at www.firstgiving.com/peterlabyak to directly benefit The Melanoma Research Foundation. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.altmeyer.com.

First Place! in MASF Show.

2009-01-26T11:06:00.000-08:00

Click on article to view larger image.

Updates

2009-01-14T05:00:00.000-08:00

There is a reason that my blog has not been updated since September 2007. That was the month I was found to have advanced melanoma. Two major surgeries, immune treatments, chemotherapy and radiation treatments "kind of" dominated my time and energy. Unfortunately, the cancer continues to spread and I am now receiving the last of the possible immune treatments available for this hideous form of skin cancer. I painted very little, because I just couldn't. Luckily I had completed all my 2008 show entries before I lost my ability to paint......and God smiled when in the last competition of the year....in the biggest of shows, I earned a first place (below: "Into The Wind" - 2" x 3" oil on ivorine) I also had a significant number completed so that my galleries did well and, with my family members setting up, had four very successful outdoor shows....and a busy Christmas gift commission agenda. I am painting again, but at much reduced rate....enough to lift my spirits in this very somber time for myself and my wife.

First Place
2009 MASF (Miniature Art Society of Florida)
"Into The Wind"
2" x 3" oil on ivorine
Here's some statistics on the MASF award. Average entries submitted: 1200 pieces from 300 artists. 75% of the works jury in. 85% of artists get something in. 25% of artists get all 5 of their entries in.
Jurying is accomplished by 5 person jury over a 3 - 4 day period. First screening acceptances; awarding by mediums(9 catagories); awarding by subject(13 catagories), awarding specials(6 catagories). Basically there are 62 awards, with 28 being "First"/"Best".
My history with MASF: 2005(2 entered/rejected). This began my quest in CY 2005/6 to find out what was needed to compete. In the 2007 show I had 1 out of 5 accepted, all were 4" x 6" and my 1 entry sold. In the 2008 Show I had 4 of 5 accepted, and 3 sold. These were NOW 2" x 3"! The rejection was a frame problem I missed. 2009......WELL!!!!!

"Entering Annapolis"
4" x 6" oil on polymin
[MASF Entry]
My personal favorite. Entered in 2 shows but didn't sell, however, I did sell this from my home soon thereafter.

"Corks Galore"
2" x 3" oil on polymin
[MASF Entry]

"Orange Burst"
2" x 3" oil on polymin
[MASF Entry]

Portraits

2009-01-13T00:01:00.000-08:00

For the longest time I knew one of my greatest weaknesses was painting portraits; hence I resorted to side or back views. Here are three attempts to improve my "people" paintings. "The Farmer" was in the 2008 MSPGS show, "Shopping Break" was in a miniature show in Baltimore, and "Mexican Vendor" was a commission from a 4" x 6" vacation photo.

MINIATURE COMMISSIONS

2007-09-20T08:25:00.000-07:00

The perfect "small gift" - an original 4" x 6" oil painting. The painting is created from your photographs (snailmailed or emailed). You can also design your own scene and discuss with me how you would like it created. The Pear paintings shown are examples of specific compostions and colors that a client requested.

Cost: $120. unframed, includes postage and handling. If you would like a frame we can discuss this via email.

Unlike other commission offers, you do not have to purchase the painting unless you are completely satisfied. All that I ask is a $10. non-refundable deposit to cover the cost of materials.

If requested, a scan of the preliminary drawing can be emailed for your approval before the painting begins. Then, prior to my signing the painting, I can send you a scan for your final comments. Everything is done that can be done to involve you in the creation process to ensure that the painting is exactly what you envisioned.

Normal completion time is two weeks from receipt of clear reference material, and approval of sketch.

EMAIL: plabyak1@cox.net

Emails or phone calls will be utilized to clarify reference "adjustments".

Below are samples of completed commissions. Photos are on the left.

PLEASE CLICK ON AN IMAGE TO SEE A LARGER VIEW.

Outer Banks Vacation

2007-08-24T15:07:00.000-07:00

This painting is a 4x6 oil on wood and is a perfect introduction to explain my two addresses, Virginia Beach and Nags Head. It is also a work that was in the 16th Annual Miniature Show at the Seaside Gallery in Nags Head and sold to a family from California on vacation in the area.
I am very fortunate to own homes in both sites, and they are only 91 miles apart. As my wife and I are now both fully retired, we have the luxury of changing addresses at the "drop of a hat".
This particularly home is an example of the disappearing scenes on the Outer Banks as the newer and more expensive homes are taking their place(and aren't very good artistic subjects).
Our home is about a 1000 yards from the ocean, but backed up on two sides to a National Wildlife preserve....hence, deer, fox and other "critters" abound. But the lovely thing is that I am able to paint in spot about 30' in the air overlooking these sights....while not worrying about my messy garage and yardwork that is needed done back in Virginia Beach!

Favorite Links

2007-08-24T08:17:00.000-07:00

Here are my favorite links for artists wishing to investigate/discuss miniature art:

http://www.miniatureartshows.com/ The ultimate guide to available miniature shows, together with a wealth of brilliantly put together information on so many aspects of miniature art.

http://www.groups.yahoo.com/group/miniatureart/ A discussion group, which you must join to see or participate. Lots of frank discussions where you have to be willing to do "give and take" knowing that it is only a discussion. Great place to get answers to questions, works critiqued, etc. The site also has a growing list of files and links that just have to be looked at.

Here are links to the galleries that I am in year-round that have web sites:

http://www.theartistsgallery.org/ Artists Gallery, Virginia Beach
http://www.vincenthestergallery.com/ Vincent Hester Gallery, Portsmouth Virginia
http://www.skipjacknauticalwares.com/ Skipjack Gallery, Portsmouth Virginia
http://www.seatreegallery.com/ Sea Tree Gallery, Nags Head North Carolina
My newest gallery, Sailor's Craft in Lewisburg, West Virginia is not online as of yet

My Interests?

2007-08-23T17:20:00.001-07:00

My favorite things to paint? Well it is like asking me what do I want to do when I grow up? at 68 years of age, I haven't figured that out yet either!

Just examples of the variety of subjects that I try. All sold, so I guess it works! Oh, like most of my works...they are 4x6 oil on wood.

One Person Gallery Show.....and

2007-08-23T15:24:00.000-07:00

(click on image for larger view)

In July 2007, the culmination of my acceptance as a miniature artist in this area was being asked to do a one month, one person show at one of our more prestigious galleries in the Hampton Roads area. I literally was the first miniaturist to ever be asked to do this and was furthered honored to have a lovely newspaper article done in two of our five city magazines that are large inserts into our daily newspaper.

There is no intent to "brag" by the above....only simply the fact that it has taken five years of outdoor shows and various gallery associations to find a gallery willing to "take a chance" on one of their monthly shows(which are well publicized in this area) with these "tiny works". Simply put, volume sales at lower prices can often outdo larger works at higher prices....but it takes a courageous gallery owner to take that chance and in this case....she won based on the public's reaction to the show. Now I can say that I am a permanent "artist on display" in four galleries between Virginia and North Carolina.

Nice Press Coverage

2007-08-20T06:09:00.000-07:00

I am adding this only to show that the Hampton Roads area is a nice place for an artist to reside as the local paper(voted number one in the state) and its circulation extends all the way to the Outer Banks of North Carolina. The "Hampton Roads area" consists of the cities of Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Portsmouth and Suffolk.

This particular article appeared in two of the five city "inserts", which meant it got to about 250,000 households. Did it work? As the gallery said, the best ever crowd for an opening and the most sales on opening night!

I must add that this occured because of the gallery owner who had the "connections" necessary for this to happen. She has been an absolute "jewel" with my career from offering me advice as how to better display my works at outdoor shows to pricing suggestions as my works improve. She has even recommended me to other galleries! How many artists get that kind of reception from a gallery owner these days. She is also one of the biggest advocates of my doing two large outdoor shows that occur just blocks away from her gallery!........and some galleries absolutely forbid such things.

Potpourri of Works....or What do you like to do?

2007-08-19T09:16:00.000-07:00

The following are some of this year's work....many which received most detailed critiques from artists "way beyond" my expertise..and to whom I forever indebted. The far right are four of my four submissions to Miniature Art Society of Florida show in January 2008. My toes & fingers are crossed. Note the smaller than normal size for me.

Still lifes completed for my last big outdoor show of the year this weekend(25/26 Aug)....but works I want to redo on ivorine...with more attention to detail for possible competition submission

Very popular subjects at shows....wine bottle stills. Love doing them(old Navy man talking!) Both targets for ivorine and more attention to detail for miniature shows.

I might add...all my works do NOT get the awesome attention a show piece gets(magnifier, sanding, rework, etc). Most are painted so that general public can appreciate with eyes...and from some distance.

Love doing tug boats! Wouldn't let them come near me on my destoyers...but they are hard working and beautiful subjects. Like to paint them with the respect they are due.

This is a particular favorite as this is what the US Naval Academy waterfront looked like when I was there from 1958-1962.

These four represent what the bulk of my works usually are......scenes from the Outer Banks for use in a Nags Head gallery that I am in....and a very large annual outdoor show in Manteo, NC