"I start by making a bunch of bad, quick drawings. I like drawing movements. After I do a bunch of bad drawings, a good one starts to come out, and I try to figure out how to solve it or make it better. Even though my figures, most of the time, come out really abstract or crude, they capture more of a tone or attitude than something copied from a photo. I realized that drawing has always been about design for me. My drawings are graphic exercises that help me understand what I think works and doesn’t work, aesthetically, in the world."
-Peter Freleng

Peter is a New York based artist. He fell into fashion photography by working in a studio at night, scrubbing toilets and painting cycloramas, eventually graduating to art directing and set design for photographers.

Where are you quarantined? How did you end up there?
Bushwick, Brooklyn. My apartment. I was going to escape to North Carolina’s Outer Banks until they shut that down. Then I was going to stay in a camper on Long Island, where I grew up. I still might, depending on how the situation goes lol.

Who are you quarantined with? How is it going?
In my building, it’s just:
My girlfriend.
My roommates--a couple.
Their dog, Nox.
My downstairs neighbors are two really good friends of mine. We share a driveway. They have a dog, Leroy.
It’s ok. I’m lucky to have a driveway in Brooklyn. And dogs. Outside space is precious. I’ve become a carpenter or some shit and I’m possessed with finishing a desk I designed.

What is your current state of mind?
Distracted. I seem to find myself making a lot of projects in order to not think about the situation. Like I said, I’m finishing a 8’ custom, wood desk for my apartment. I just got half an engine shipped to my door... considering re-building my engine just so I have something to work on. I am not a home body...

What was your biggest worry one month ago? What is it now?
My entire family is in the NY/ Long Island region.
I’m worried for my grandparents and my mother.
Still am.

What was your most treasured possession one month ago? What is it now?
My truck.
I drive a 1996 Toyota Land Cruiser. And I’ve always been a slight “prepper.” It’s built out with suspension, tires, etc. for off-roading (random hobby of mine pre-Covid). I also built it as a mobile camping unit. It has a queen size bed in it, a kitchenette, and a 8’ awning.
Still my truck.

If you could have dinner with one person this evening, who would it be? What would you eat? My friends.
Honestly, it doesn’t matter--but, my friend’s wife is from Israel and she’s an amazing chef. We wanted to go over there for Shabbat and never did.

What is your biggest pre-quarantine regret?
Probably not transitioning out of my career sooner. I work in photo and video and the industry got hit hard. I was in the process of signing up for automotive classes, to become a tech.

What do you value most in people?
Optimism. Resilience.
I think people are mostly being respectful. Most people I talk to try to look on the bright side of this situation.
Also, just variety. I miss learning things about people, and cultures, and food... you know, regular life stuff.

What do you value most in your work?
My work is my escape. My adventure. It always has been. It’s like a problem that needs to be solved. I never know how it will look and I like when it surprises me.

What are you looking forward to?
To be honest, I’m not even sure anymore. Camping? I am an avid camper/ paddler. I had three 20+ mile Multi day kayak trips planned. They all seem canceled.