Peter Gibson

I was born in Melbourne in the 1940’s and grew up in Hawthorn. 
I completed Secondary studies at Xavier College.
My formal  studies in  Drawing were completed at Swinburne College. 
I also studied under Ambrose Griffin who was a prolific Melbourne artist.
More recently, I studied under notable Artist, International Teacher and Critic ,Mr Colin Johnson.

As far back as I can remember, I have always had an interest in Art and drawing.
At College we performed a Gilbert and Sullivan opera each year. In my 1st year I won a competition to design the Program Cover. I was then appointed to do this for the following performances.
There was another artistic function associated with the Opera. The school was an all boys community - we were required to use theatrical makeup to create a large range of opera characters (including female parts). This turned out to be great training for Portrait Painting.

During the 1960’s, I exhibited at various Art shows and Galleries while completing  Management and Marketing studies. 
At a Herald Outdoor Art Show I sold a painting to a lover of Russell Drysdale. He was unable to afford the originals and disliked prints, so he commissioned me to paint a number of reproductions for him. 
This was a great experience and gave me a wonderful insight into the style and technique of one of Australia’s greatest artists.

Due to the demanding nature of my role as Manager and Director of a National Australian Manufacturing Company together with the raising of a family, I had little spare time for Art for most of my working life.

This situation changed dramatically when I retired and joined AGRA (Australian Guild of Realistic Artists) and later Colin Johnson’s Art Class. 
While at AGRA, I was appointed President.
Colin is a remarkable teacher of the principles of Painting and Drawing and this proved to be invaluable training.

I gain a great deal of pleasure interpreting the effect of light, tone and colour on my subject. There is a strong emphasis on Atmosphere and Story. I have travelled extensively, and use the principle of when surveying a scene, I try to visualise a Composition for a painting  I will then record  this with a backup image where time does not allow En Plein Air. 
Most works are painted on Canvas and Board. They are often painted in Acrylic as a base and then finished off in the richness of Oil.
Where board is used there is the added feature of waterproofing and stabilising as the rear side is plastic coated.

Genres include Landscapes, Seascapes, Portraits, Still Life and more recently Digital and Abstract Art.