Born in 1965, Peter grew up in rural Staffordshire. He studied at North Staffordshire Polytechnic and gained his degree from Wolverhampton Polytechnic. After graduation he freelanced as an artist and card designer, but in 1990 he decided to devote himself full time to painting. In 2004 Peter’s outstanding talent won him a place in the final of the DeMontfort New Artist Competition. His prize was a publishing contract, taking his status as a professional artist onto a whole new level.
Now based in North Devon Peter works in a studio attached to his home. He finds living close to the sea a great source of inspiration, and his quirky character pieces often include some coastal references. He also cites a range of influences including jazz, most particularly such larger-than-life stars as Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong and Courtney Pine. Like them his work is virtuosic, deceptively simple, and delightfully accessible. To sum up, as one collector describes it, “sophisticated whimsy!”
Painting in heavy bodied acrylics on high weight water colour paper, his palette is characterised by soft browns, mochas, creams and golds, while occasional splashes of red bring the whole piece into focus. His work is held in collections all over the world.