Peggy Washburn's fine art is inspired by classical mythology, studies pertaining to memory and mathematical definitions. Major art collections have acquired her work including the Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center at the University of Texas, The Bibliotheque Nationale de France and The Ralph Lauren collection. Her work has been widely published, she's had numerous solo shows both locally and nationally, and has been included in exhibits at the Whatcom Museum in Bellingham and The Fry Art Museum in Seattle and Museo di Fotografia in Brescia, Italy.
Peggy was working as a fine art photographer, painter and mixed media artist when her work was noticed in 1990 by a Seattle gallery and she was invited to join their Resident Artist program. Along with her fine art work, Peggy continued to photograph her neighbors, rock bands, aspiring actors and models, and children -always children. When she became pregnant again in 1995, the need for a more flexible job led her to expand her portrait business and she began to focus on children.
Combining fine art and portraiture brought a new dimension to her work. She found that some children have an inherent complexity that only the camera can catch, and she began to explore their internal life in her photographs. As this phenomenon grew clearer, the line between work and art began to blur. Forced smiles and poses didn't interest her and she began to concentrate on what lay undiscovered. She has photographed the children of prominent Seattle families and art collectors, and her work draws increasing interest from major players in the art world.
