One of Peyton's first solo exhibitions took place at the Chelsea Hotel (1993).
"Napoleon" (1993, Peyton)
There she had her own room and mostly featured charcoal and ink drawings of Napoleon, Marie Antoinette and Queen Elizabeth II. Guests would go to the reception and ask for the key to the room showcasing her work. Despite less than 50 people showing up, her work was generally well received by critics. Art critic, Roberta Smith quoted, "I remember the show. It felt stilted and old-fashioned and got on my
nerves. But within a year Ms. Peyton had taken up more contemporary, if
equally romantic, subjects and her preoccupations began to come into
focus."
The next couple of exhibitions gave Peyton the opportunity to become recognized internationally. Starting at the New York Museum of Contemporary Art she toured to the Walker Art Center, Minneapolis; Whitechapel Gallery, London; and Bonnefantenmuseum, Maastricht.
