We are delighted to share the publication of a profile on Peter Dušek in the Orangeville Citizen, highlighting his new Water Music series and its thoughtful engagement with water, light, and environmental awareness.
Dušek’s minimalist photographic practice continues to distill the ephemeral forces of nature into luminous, contemplative works that bridge aesthetic reduction and ecological reflection. The piece also touches on his ongoing commitment to Swim Drink Fish via their Artists for Water charity art auction and the vital role of place in his vision.
Further works and series are available at peterdusek.com.
As a Canadian artist and photographer based in the heart of Ontario, I’ve always been drawn to the serene beauty of Muskoka’s lakes. My latest series, trace, is a celebration of this iconic region, transforming the energy and motion of boats and watercraft on the water into timeless Muskoka art. If you’re searching for Muskoka photography that blends abstraction with the natural world, this series invites you to experience movement and water in a whole new light.
The Inspiration Behind ‘trace’
Muskoka, with its pristine lakes like Lake Rosseau, Lake Muskoka, and Lake Joseph, has long been a muse for artists seeking to capture the tranquility and dynamism of nature. In trace, I focus on abstract overhead images of the streaks and wakes left by boats gliding across these waters. These ephemeral marks—patterns of lines and forms—speak to the transient nature of human interaction with the environment. Water is temporarily marked and transformed by the boats but inevitably returns to its original undisturbed peace. Shot from above in Ontario’s Muskoka region, each piece distills the poetry of motion, where the absence of visible people emphasizes the subtle imprints we leave behind.
This Muskoka art series draws from my minimalist philosophy: “As Little As Possible, As Much As Necessary.” By subtracting unnecessary elements, I reveal the raw beauty of time passing on the water, creating surreal compositions that bridge the real and the dreamlike. Whether you’re a cottage owner on Lake Rosseau, near Port Carling, or an art enthusiast exploring Ontario lakes art, trace offers a fresh perspective on the familiar landscapes of Muskoka.
Techniques and Themes in Muskoka Photography
In creating trace, I employed long exposure photography techniques to capture these abstract movement, influenced by the interplay of light, wind, and water. The result is a collection of fine art prints that evoke a sense of energy and power on a surface of calm water, perfect for adorning Muskoka cottages or urban spaces inspired by nature. Themes of ephemerality and human-nature harmony run throughout, making this series ideal for those interested in abstract art in Muskoka.
Each photograph in the series is available as limited-edition prints, ensuring exclusivity for collectors of Muskoka art. From bold, sweeping lines to subtle tonal shifts, these works highlight the region’s rural heritage while pushing the boundaries of traditional landscape photography.
Why ‘trace’ Resonates with Muskoka Art Lovers
For anyone passionate about Ontario’s lakes and the artistic expressions they inspire, trace stands out in the world of Muskoka photography. It’s not just about the visuals—it’s about feeling the rhythm of the water, the whisper of the wind, and the quiet stories etched on the surface. If you’re looking to bring a piece of Muskoka into your home, this series offers authentic, locally inspired art that captures the soul of the region.
Explore the full trace gallery on my website at peterdusek.com/works/trace. Interested in a custom Muskoka art commission? Whether it’s a landscape photograph of your favorite lake or a piece tailored to your cottage or boathouse, get in touch via our Contact form or follow me on Instagram @peter.dusek for updates on exhibitions and new releases.
I’m absolutely delighted to announce that my piece Water Music 15 from my Water Music series has been featured in the latest issue of photoED Magazine – the Movement edition (Issue #75) – and it’s printed as a stunning double-page spread!
Pages 60/61 of photoED Issue #75
photoED is Canada’s premier independent photography magazine, known for highlighting inspiring stories from both emerging and established artists. This milestone 75th issue delves into the theme of movement – encompassing physical motion, migration, social change, and the subtle rhythms that drive us forward. It’s a thoughtful exploration of how photography captures and embodies momentum in its many forms.
The Water Music series holds a special place in my practice, bringing to life abstract emotional photographs using only the sun, wind and water. Water Music 15, with its symphony of fluid lines resonates deeply with the edition’s theme – symbolizing the endless and unstoppable movement of water.
Water Music 15
If you’d like to experience the full issue, you can order a print copy from the photoED website or find it on newsstands in Canada. Digital versions are available worldwide for easy access.
My deepest thanks to the photoED team for selecting and beautifully presenting this work. Your support keeps the momentum going!
Prints from the Water Music series, including “Water Music 15” are available through my gallery. Please get in touch for inquiries.
Jim Campbell, vice president of Ontario Barn Preservation discovered and loved my Field Work art exhibition at the Museum of Dufferin. He graciously wrote beautiful words about it on their charitable organization website here:
Peter Dušek’s photograph, Starstruck, is featured on the cover photo of the fall issue of In The Hills magazine in connection with Peter’s exhibition, Field Work, at the Museum of Dufferin. The magazine editor titled her Editor’s Letter, “WONDERSTRUCK” to reflect Peter’s “Starstruck” and wrote:
WONDERSTRUCK Finally, there is the cover of this issue: one of Peter Dušek’s fine-art photographs, mentioned in Emily Dickson’s survey of the fall art scene. Dušek’s piece is a stark, unsentimental – modern, even – rendering of a familiar touchstone in these hills: weathered barns and outbuildings. The title of the piece – “Starstruck” – is a play on the white star at the peak of each roof but also handily describes the feeling of gazing at a routine sight through a new lens.
Discover Peter Dušek, artist and photographer, as he reveals his journey, from his early beginnings to thriving as an artist-entrepreneur. Explore how he navigated creative and business hurdles, sharing inspiring stories and practical advice to boost your skills in selling art. With Peter’s engaging approach and wealth of expertise, this video is essential for photographers at any level.
Watch it here:
Landscape Photography: A Full-Time Living JUST From Prints
My print “Water Music 1“, 48 x 64 inches, Sells at the Artists for Water 2025 Auction in Toronto for Swim Drink Fish
I’m thrilled to share some exciting news from the art and charity world! My photograph, Water Music 1, was featured in the prestigious Artists for Water 2025 auction at the Toronto Board of Trade, benefiting the incredible charity Swim Drink Fish. Not only did it find a new home, but it sold, contributing to the vital cause of protecting Canada’s waterways.
Water Music 1, 2024, 48 x 72 in., Edition 1 of 3
What is Artists for Water?
The Artists for Water auction is an annual fundraiser organized by Swim Drink Fish, a Toronto-based Canadian charity dedicated to making our waters swimmable, drinkable, and fishable. Held annually in Toronto, this event brings together renowned artists, collectors, and water advocates for a gala featuring live and silent art auctions. This year, it raised over $435,000 through generous donations from major Canadian artists and galleries.
The 2025 edition took place at the Toronto Board of Trade on May 8 and continued this tradition, with bidding available online, allowing art lovers from across Canada to participate in this meaningful Toronto charity art auction.
About “Water Music 1“
Inspired by the fluid rhythms and motion of water, Water Music 1 is an abstract piece – the first of a series – that captures the symphony created by the sun and wind on water.
Being selected for the Artists for Water 2025 in Toronto auction felt incredibly fitting, as the theme of my Water Music series aligns perfectly with Swim Drink Fish’s mission. I’m honored that my work helped raise funds for community water monitoring, advocacy, and education programs that protect lakes, rivers, and beaches across Canada.
Why Swim Drink Fish Matters
Swim Drink Fish uses science, technology, and storytelling to connect people with their local waters. Through tools like the Swim Guide app and community hubs, they empower everyday Canadians to monitor water quality and advocate for cleaner environments. Events like the Artists for Water charity auction Toronto highlight how art can drive change, turning creativity into action for swimmable, drinkable, fishable water.
If you’re searching for art auctions Toronto, charity art events Toronto, or specifically the Artists for Water auction Toronto Swim Drink Fish, know that these initiatives make a real difference. Past auctions have featured works that sold well above estimates, proving the power of combining art with environmental advocacy.
A Heartfelt Thank You
Thank you to the curatorial team at Swim Drink Fish for including “Water Music 1” in this year’s lineup, to the generous bidder who now owns the piece, and to everyone who supported the auction. Together, we’re making waves for cleaner water!
If you’d like to learn more about Swim Drink Fish or future events, visit their site at swimdrinkfish.ca. And stay tuned for more from my studio—water remains an endless source of inspiration.
Artists of Water 2025 Participants
Artists
Robert Burley, Nathan Eugene Carson, Delali Cofie, Erika DeFreitas, Kim Dorland, Steve Driscoll, Peter Dusek, Gary Evans, Adad Hannah, Michael Harrington, Quinn Hopkins, Joshua Jensen-Nagle, James Lahey, Rick Leong, Sanaz Mazinani, Meryl McMaster, Kent Monkman, Caroline Monnet, Emmanuel Osahor, Rajni Perera, Ned Pratt, Andrew Rucklidge, Marigold Santos, Margaux Smith, Linda Sormin, Ninglukulu Teevee, Winnie Truong, Howie Tsui, Shaheer Zazai
Participating Galleries:
Bau-Xi Gallery, Blouin-Division Gallery, Bradley Ertaskiran Gallery, Clint Roenisch, Christie Contemporary, Christopher Cutts Gallery, Feheley Fine Arts, Galerie de Bellefeuille, Nicholas Metivier Gallery, Norberg Hall, Paul Petro Contemporary Art, Patel Brown, Pierre-François Ouellette Art Contemporain, Stephen Bulger Gallery, United Contemporary
2025 Curatorial Committee:
Sara Angelucci, Jennifer Baichwal, Shelley Falconer, Mona Filips, Stefan Hancherow, Jennifer Kernaghan, Matthew Kingston, Yasmin Nurming-Por, Francisca Quinn
Rendezvous, Township of King, Ontario, Canada, 2020
From February 28, 2025 and running for a few months, the Peter Dušek Gallery in Creemore will be showing an exhibition of eleven large prints from my Free and Easy Wandering series. Using simplicity and minimalism, the series explores the gentle curve in our landscape and how its wandering lines often parallel the unexpected paths we take through life.
The opening reception will be on March 8, from 1 to 4pm at 151 Mill Street in Creemore.
I’m very excited that my piece, “Cattails in Red”, in a large 5 foot wide size, has been accepted into the national Canadian art competition, N3XT, at the historic Arts and Letters Club of Toronto. The theme this year is Canadian Unity.
“A field of cattails in red meander along a snow-covered lake. A state of balance is formed between the negative space of the lake and the positive space of the cattails. Each #cattail symbolizes an individual, and when considered as a whole, shows unity and strength that comes from people — Canadians — working together toward the same goal of fulfilled lives of balance and contentment.”
The N3XT exhibit will be held at the Arts & Letters Club from Thursday, November 19 to Friday, December 18, 2020. On Thursday, November 19, N3XT finalists and awards will be publicly announced during a virtual gala and awards presentation originating from the Arts & Letters Club. The N3XT exhibition will be hosted at the Arts & Letters Club of Toronto until Friday, December 18, 2020. . The N3XT exhibition at the Arts & Letters Club will be accessible by limited groups and by appointment only. A virtual gallery of all N3XT finalists will be hosted online.
I’m excited that my piece, “Reaching”, will be accepted into the Government of Ontario Art Collection at the Archives of Ontario.
The Government of Ontario Art Collection was the first publicly funded art collection in Canada. Dating from 1853, it currently numbers over 2,700 original works of art. Many of these works can be found in Ontario’s Legislative Buildings in Toronto and in ministries and government offices throughout the city.
“Reaching”, Hockley Valley, Ontario, Canada, 2016. Archival Pigment Print, size 26×26″. Available in limited edition, total 30, sizes 8×8, 26×26, 36×36, and 48×48. Larger sizes are beautifully printed and framed by Toronto Image Works. The smallest sizes is printed, mounted and matted by me.
