Born a
Sagittarian in 195-something in Islington in North London, the Artist
is now a native of Church Stretton in Shropshire, England and includes
Wildlife Art in his portfolio after a chance meeting with an elegant
Grey Heron on a morning walk.
Since childhood, (when he spent hours drawing fighter aircraft from RAF
Leuchars on the coast of Scotland) the years of accumulated knowledge
and interest in Aviation and Space technology led him to a desire to
paint aircraft.
While Robert Spearman, his School art tutor, was instrumental in his
decision to study illustration at St Martin's School of Art, it was a
visiting lecturer to the college, Fritz Wagner, who suggested he fuse
his love of a realistic style of illustration with his obvious
imaginative skills, and so he became, quite by accident, one of the
most influential and famous British Science Fiction Artists in this
genre (in which he still works to this very day).
He developed his own style of Science Fiction illustration,
characterised by strong central characters set in other-worldly
landscapes.
"The
man who created the Genre . . ." Forbidden Planet Bookshop.
"The kind of Art you dream about . . ." Tannith Lee. (Fantasy Authoress)
These
images became sought after by book and game publishers and he set up
his own company, SOLAR WIND (Limited), to
commercially develop this style.
Constantly resisting conformity, he created a stir in publishing
circles when he submitted his design for a cover to the million-selling
Fighting Fantasy Gamebook, The Warlock of Firetop Mountain.
Much to the publisher's chagrin, he had left space for the book title
in the centre of the illustration - a concept which defied the
unwritten rule that titles must appear at the top of the book cover.
He was once described by Octopus Books as The most successful (SF)
artist working in Britain today and Forbidden Planet Bookshop (London
& New York) as "The man who created the (SF) genre".
Over the following quarter-century and more his Science Fiction Art
became used on publications by publishers all around the globe.
and he has elevated the ratings of such major imaginative authors as:
* Issac Asimov
* Ray Bradbury
* Arthur C. Clarke
* Greg Bear
* Larry Niven
* Philip K. Dick
* Marion Zimmer-Bradley
* Harry Harrison
* and many, many more.
This led to involvement in Television and he helped create many
programmes, such as:
* The Two Ronnies Show
* The Stanley Baxter Show
* The Tripods
* Global Sunrise
* Horizon
* Origins
* and various news programmes.
However, the love of aircraft was in his blood and in 1990 (spurred by
the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Britain) Peter started to think
seriously about his passion for aviation.
"No
amount of eulogising on my part can ever describe clearly the way
you’ve captured my plane in this painting, the light, the
color, the Arizona hills - just great"
(R.W., Arizona, USA.)
"The work certainly quickens the pulse . . ." RAF Benevolent Fund.
"Frei-jagd! Well Done . . ." Adolf Galland.
"I really do congratulate you . . ." Group Captain peter Townsend G.C..
He
became involved with the RAF Benevolent Fund and a number of World War
II pilots including Group Captain Peter Townsend (George Cross) and
General Adolf Galland (General of Fighters,
Luftwaffe. WWII).
His works can be found on various aviation related publications such as:
* The Hardest Day by Alfred Price
* Bomber Pilot by Leonard Cheshire VC
* Who Won The Battle Of Britain? by Wing Commander H.R. Allen. DFC
* The Stories Of Flying Officer X by H.E. Bates
* The Rock - International best seller by Warren Tute
* The Enemy Below - the classic sea battle story by D.A. Rayner
* The Battle Of Britain by air historian Norman Franks
New acknowledgements followed, notably from pilots, including President
George Bush (Snr) (a one-time W.W.II US Pacific theatre pilot) and
Peter became so impressed with their personalities and overwhelming
integrity, that he resolved to paint “Wings of Fire”
a series of paintings on the subject now a book published by his
publishing company.
He has also created material for Rolls Royce (Aero Engines), Film
Posters, Record/CD covers, and Editorial/Advertising.
He also created the movie posters for THE SWORD & THE SORCERER
and ALLIGATOR (The Mutation)
Details of his works can now be found in his monthly on-line web
magazine and e-zine >
"LEGENDARY ART
-THE INTERNATIONAL ART COLLECTORS' GUIDE"
He works organically with traditional hand-mixed oils and digitally on
his Macintosh, with a state of the art electronic drawing tablet.
Peter is someone of incredibly strong imagination, unquestionable
drawing capabilities, craftsmanship and painting skill.
His classically-structured art education (under the tutelage of Robert
Spearman) laid solid foundations from which to create pictures and
illustrations of sometimes outrageous ingenuity and power.
This education ingrained in him an ability to adapt to changing
circumstances; to discover and explore.
Peter has created a remarkable series of paintings of outstanding
artistic skill and attention to detail.
They lovingly convey the mood and dramatic realism, or gentle passivity
of the subjects he captures in paint (and pixels).
PERSONAL TESTIMONIALS
"Great! My mum will LOVE it!. . . ."
(Chrysella, London)
". . . ." (Blush)
(Anthea)
"It is a very fine painting, yes, a very fine painting"
(Jean-Pierre Dupont, Belgium)
"Brian and I are really pleased with this new addition."
(Barbara, Birmingham, UK)
"It’s a really fine piece, excellent."
(April, Mass, USA).
"Excellent!"
P.G., Guernsey.
And of his handmade books . . . . . .
.
"(The book) wreaks of quality from end to end . . ." P.W. USA
"You are still one of my heroes" . . P.S. USA
At the
time of writing this web page all of this talent and experience is now
embodied in his publishing company's
activities.
