Originally from Taranaki, Peter studied science at Canterbury University, graduating in 1968 with a BSc in Pure Mathematics.  He later worked in TV as a presentation and programme director for five years before becoming more involved in his art.

In the 70s he travelled extensively through Europe, North America and the Pacific, drawing and painting on the way.

Now living on the coast in Taranaki, he has been working as a professional painter and printmaker since 1982, but has made a number of forays overseas in that time.
In 1994 Peter attended a summer school in painting and printmaking at Long Island University, where he developed a love for solar-plate etching, which is a feature of many of his works.

His recent work is based on quick sketches of people in the public arena and transposed into fluid line paintings that take a satirical look at people in contemporary society. While staying with this theme his more recent work has taken on a street art appearance with his use of spray cans, stencils and marker pens referencing work he did in the early 80`s.

His work shows his fondness of free flowing painted line, the slight randomness and unpredictability of graffiti spray cans, the colour spilling over edges into other areas. This style of work also echoes the many silk screenprint editions he has produced.

His characters display a distinct individuality; they have authenticity, a sense of movement, real people in real situations.  He captures fleeting expressions and fleeting interactions between people.

Not wanting to burden viewers with too much detail Peter leaves spaces for the viewer to enjoy his economy of line, the understatement evident in his work.