Chopper - A Portrait of Flynn Beltane, 2018 - oil on cradled birch-faced ply panel, 110 x 70 cm
Naughty Sugar, A portrait of Hannah Matthews, 2014 - oil on cradled aluminium panel, 80 x 45 cm
The Performer, A Portrait of Emily-May - Oil on cradled birch faced ply panel, 62.5 x 42 cm
Whether by accident, or design, I’ve managed to stay within some type of creative role my entire career. After leaving art school, I followed the path of graphic design and have stayed connected to that ever since. There have been a couple of departures, one as an offset litho printer and another as college print technician, but my heart has always been with visual communication. I’ve been fortunate to encounter many creative areas, including jewellery, photography, garment design, a variety of print processes, advertising and marketing, fine art, needlework, typography and illustration.
In 2008, after years contemplating ‘giving it a try’, I took up oil painting as a way of relaxing. After a couple of attempts of getting to grips with the process, I found the medium really suits me and I now paint as often as I can. Primarily, I like to paint people, though the challenge of painting anything excites me. I consider my work contemporary realism because I like to paint stuff to look like stuff.
Since leaving my regular job at a small advertising agency in 2002, I’ve worked from my garden studio where I can watch the birds.
2019
RBSA Gallery, RBSA Portrait Prize Exhibition, Birmingham - winner of the GMC Trust First Prize
RBSA Gallery, Friends Exhibition, Birmingham
RBSA Gallery, Open All Media Exhibition, Birmingham
2018
RBSA Gallery, RBSA Portrait Prize Exhibition, Birmingham
See the recent posts by Pete on his Blog here
Waiting for Leo
Tom, Dick & Harry
The Engine Builder
Spider II and Mister Spencer
Duxford Dozer
John Bradbury
Hugh Girvan – Study
Noel Runnels-Moss
Mr Runnels-Moss - study