Standing in front of a painting by famed artist Peter Max gives you much the same experience. His exploding expressions of color, his interpretations of earth and its glory, can move you toward a wondrous journey—all without leaving the room. Max is scheduled to return to Stone Harbor's Ocean Gallery on July 26-27 for a showing and sale of his work. Born in Europe and raised in many parts of the world, Max has been called a Pop Icon, Neo Fauvist, Abstract Expressionist and the "Painter Laureate of the United States." His paintings have been on exhibition in hundreds of museums and galleries worldwide.

Max has achieved his place in history having painted for various heads of state, including six U.S. Presidents. His art appeared on the first U.S. 10-cent stamp and on 235 U.S. Border murals greeting millions of people entering America each year.

The "official artist for the 2006 U.S. Olympic Team," Max's art also appears on a Boeing 777 jumbo jet currently flying the skies for Continental and on a 600-foot stage created for the Woodstock Music Festival. He has also been designated Official Artist of five Super Bowls, six Grammy Awards, the World Cup USA, the World Series, the United Nations Earth Summit. Most recently, he became an art correspondent for "The Early Show" (CBS).

One of his more profound moments he said came during opening night at the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, Russia in 1989. "They came there and these thousands of people with flowers in their hair – in a country that I wasn't known in," he said. The crowds numbered more than 14,000 by the end of the exhibit.

His success, although through hard work and dedication, seems to flow as easily through him as his voice does with those with whom he converses. "It's not (been) out of body, but it was out of sight," said Max of his accomplishments and notoriety.

He modestly claims that the artistic and commercial community was ready for him as his works became more popular. "What happened was people thought that this was the style for the ‘60s. I was just playing around with my style," he said in a recent interview.

Max attributes his use of color not only to that background but to his deep interest in astronomy and yoga. American comic books, radio broadcasts and cinema shows, also helped form some of his early impressions. In addition, he credits much of his centering on the art of Yoga. "It's good for the planet and good for the soul," he said.

His, "Celebration of Harmony" exhibition is scheduled for Saturday, July 26 and Sunday, July 27 and features new original paintings done especially for this show along with the iconic imagery that has made him a world-renowned artist. Max will make personal appearances at two intimate receptions to sign and personalize artwork purchases on Saturday, July 26 from 7 until 10 p.m. and Sunday, July 27 from noon until 3 p.m. The Ocean Gallery is located at 9618 Third Avenue, Stone Harbor, NJ.