Meet Peter Terrin: Where Fine Art Meets
the Caribbean Soul

You’re by the Caribbean Sea, feeling the warm breeze and taking in the clear blue water. With a cool drink in hand, you listen as an artist in linen talks about his new collection, pieces inspired by the shifting colors of the coastline right in front of you.

This isn’t New York or Paris. It’s a relaxed afternoon in the Mexican Caribbean, and the artist is Peter Terrin, one of today’s standout contemporary painters whose work is becoming closely tied to the region’s growing cultural scene.

Art is playing a bigger role in how people choose where to live. And the Mexican Caribbean, known for its distinctive architecture, creative energy, and laid-back lifestyle, has become a key destination where real estate and art culture naturally come together.

Recognized globally, his works are characterized by emotional depth, textured layers, and undeniable movement. His technique demonstrates discipline, yet retains a spontaneity intrinsically connected to Caribbean life.

Collectors frequently describe visiting his studio as a defining moment. The space feels open, lived-in, framed by palms and the distant sounds of nature. It’s a working studio, but also a living gallery.

Peter’s relationship with Mexico began long before he became a recognized figure in the region’s art community. What started as a simple visit, a brief escape from the European winter, quickly became something deeper. The warmth of the people, the generosity of the culture, and the vibrant colors of the landscape shaped his artistic language in ways he hadn’t expected. He first arrived in Mexico in 2006, at 32, carrying a quiet but growing desire to leave his stable career behind and devote himself entirely to painting. Within a year, he took the leap giving up a steady income, housing, and security to follow his calling.

The years that followed were anything but easy. He painted on the streets of Playa del Carmen, selling just enough to scrape by, often unsure where his next meal would come from or how long he could continue without returning home to Belgium.

Then came an unexpected turning point. A chance encounter with a Canadian family changed the course of his life. After hearing his story and visiting his modest studio, they not only purchased several paintings but later invited him into their home in the jungle. What began as a nerve-wracking visit turned into a life-altering gesture.

Recognizing his talent and determination, Peta and Arthur offered him rent-free housing and mentorship. Arthur guided him in valuing his work and pricing it accordingly, while Peta helped build his presence on social media, introducing his art to a broader audience. Their support allowed him to shift from survival mode to building a sustainable, confident career, one rooted in passion, resilience, and the generosity of those who believed in him.

Mexico didn’t just inspire him; it grounded him. Over the years, it became a second home, a place where he found clarity, purpose, and a renewed vision for his career.

Peter Terrin is known for his art, those who spend time with him quickly realize that his true passion goes beyond the canvas. He is deeply dedicated to capturing the essence of people, landscapes, and emotions through colors. His commitment to authenticity is what sets him apart.

The artist draws inspiration from a diverse personal history and a variety of styles. His work features elements from his childhood, such as the cartoons he grew up with, as well as images that evoke a sense of home. Animals, particularly birds, are a recurring motif, alongside the distinctive, large-scale faces of women for which the artist is renowned. We are fortunate to have a beautiful example of this work present at most of our team meetings!

More than a decade later, he is living the very dream that once felt distant. His work has taken him to exhibitions in Miami, Monaco, New York, Belgium, Holland, Canada, and across Mexico. Today, his paintings are collected all around the world, and he collaborates with international galleries that continue to elevate his reach.

In the jungle, he built a home of his own complete with an art studio, office, and a personal gallery where visitors can immerse themselves in his creative universe. Peta and Arthur, the couple who once offered him a lifeline, are now family, their children and grandchildren woven into the fabric of his life.

Though his journey has already traveled far, he sees it as only the beginning. His passion for painting remains his compass, a defining force that grows stronger with time. And as he looks ahead, he believes, with conviction,that the best chapters are still to come. Painting is not his profession; it’s his way of understanding the world. And the Caribbean, particularly Mexico, continues to offer the inspiration and balance that fuel his creative process.

Spend enough time with Peter and you’ll eventually meet another important part of his life: his Xolos. These ancient Mexican dogs known for their elegance, loyalty, and cultural heritage reflect much of what Terrin values: history, identity, and connection.

The Xoloitzcuintle is one of the oldest dog breeds in the world, with more than 3,000 years of history in Mexico. The ancient Mexica (ancient culture) believed they were spiritual guardians who guided souls through the Mictlán, the underworld.

In many regions of Mexico, it’s believed that Xoloitzcuintlis help guide the souls of loved ones back home during Día de Muertos, a tradition rooted in their ancestral role as spiritual companions in Mesoamerican culture.

To him, the Xoloitzcuintle is more than a companion; it’s a living symbol of Mexico’s past and spirit. Their calm, observant nature often mirrors the quiet intensity with which he approaches his work.

For visitors, meeting the Xolos and PIGcasso the pig, adds yet another layer to the experience of stepping into Terrin’s world.

You don’t need to be a seasoned collector to engage with the region’s creative movement. Its greatest strength is its accessibility.

1. Attend private art events and exhibitions
   Many places in the Riviera Maya, host gatherings where artists, collectors, and travelers connect in intimate settings.

2. Book a private studio visit
   Artists like Peter Terrin welcome serious visitors by appointment, offering an inside look into their process and philosophy.

3. Invest thoughtfully
   Learn about provenance and authenticity to make sound investments with long-term value.

4. Integrate art into your living spaces
   Buyers are transforming villas, condos, and second homes into curated environments, private sanctuaries where architecture and art coexist.

If you’ve ever dreamed of living in a place where inspiration is part of everyday life, the Caribbean offers that opportunity.

There’s something grounding about meeting Peter Terrin. Whether it’s the calmness in his manner or the way he talks about color as if it were a language, he reminds us that creativity is meant to be lived,  not observed from a distance.

For many second-home seekers, that is the value of this region: a sense of belonging, connection, and meaning. In each of Terrin’s works, there’s the pulse of both Europe and the Caribbean, precision meeting soul.

Peter’s advice:

‘’Chase your dreams, no matter how impossible they seem. There will be setbacks, but they shouldn't let them stop you, so, dream big, work hard, stay humble, be kind, take care of your clients, and above all, never stop believing..’’

Behind every canvas is a human story. And in Terrin’s case, it’s one worth experiencing up close.

To bring this story to life, we traveled all the way to Akumal to meet him, giving you a closer look at his world, his studio, and the creative journey behind his work.

You’ll soon see even more in our upcoming video in our YouTube Channel.