About Peggy Skycraft

For many  years I have been involved in a studio business hand making and selling decorative papers worldwide to a variety of markets including, book arts, retail, picture framing, interior design, and most recently, to rubber stamp artists. I built my business over a period of 30 years with a emphasis on providing exceptional quality, custom services, and reliable delivery. This has resulted in the desired goal: attaining a decent standard of living while maintaining the freedom to experiment and make new art. I have managed to coordinate the factors, creativity, business and personal goals to arrive at attaining some facets of the elusive American dream.

In addition to the production editions, I make some art for exhibition, participating in a few shows each year in paper or textiles. I have licensed my art extensively for reproduction in advertising, packaging, and product design for national and international distribution.

My training in design began at the School of the Chicago Art Institute, where I studied design, painting and art history. Later, at Portland State University I earned a Bachelor of Science in painting, with minors in anthropology and geology. I continued there to earn a certificate in secondary education. I have continued my anthropology interest with emphasis on arts and material culture, including ethnobotany. My avocation for many years has been study of native plants and fungi. This colorful visual material influences my work.

I live with my partner Jack Townes, on a working farm in Oregon, with a sweeping view of the foothills of the Cascades. Jack divides his time between a consultant business in art museum installation and farm activities which involve reforestation of old pastures, and a small herd of sheep. These are maintained for organic meat for a small list of customers, and for assistance in keeping the place tidy. Naturally, there are some ambitious flower gardens, which I care for using what friends jokingly call the “chaos theory.” The mixes of colors are always an inspiration to me.

I am one of those lucky persons who knew what I wanted to do, continuing the direction in life which I began as a child. I knew then that I was an artist and that was what would shape my life. There are always choices to make, and I have always taken the path of freedom, hard work and creativity, not always an easy route as it always involves the obstacles caused by an erratic income.