July 24, 1977 — March 20, 2010

Peter Collins was born in Baltimore, MD and was exposed to the Chesapeake's woodlands, marshes, and rivers at an early age through the hiking he did with his father. He would refer to himself as a "true naturalist." His artwork expressed his love of all creatures, and he relished his ability to name any creature he encountered in nature.

He would create art, both two and three dimensional, when visiting his grandfather, artist Peter Haikalis. His grandfather also took him to the many art galleries in Washington, D.C., where the two would spend hours discussing the great masterpieces.

After attending Baltimore County Public Schools, he received a B.F.A. from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, where he was a faculty award winner. Following college, he was mentored by fine artist and children's book illustrator, Earl Lewis as well as Johns Hopkins University Professor of Medical Art, Tim Phelps, Ph.D.

Peter attained his dream of living in Miami and painting full time in 2007. There, he made regular trips into the Everglades to explore wildlife, collect artifacts, and draw inspiration for future artwork. Upon his passing in 2010, though only 32, Peter left behind a full legacy of works, in both watercolors and acrylics, that depict his love for and connection with the natural world.