NOTICE BOARD

Newcastle Street Scenes and Cityscapes

During the winter months I found myself being drawn to the bright lights and activity of Newcastle's streets as a new subject for my painting. I tried to avoid the obvious landmarks that are painted so often and concentrated instead on the shops, hoardings, people and less familiar streets.

I spent a lot of time walking, drawing; looking for compositions and lighting that were of interest. My preferred time became late afternoon to early evening when the grittiness of the city becomes transformed into something much more mysterious and romantic. The bottom of Westgate Road, rather neglected for decades, takes on a Venetian charm in the amber light of late afternoon; Osborne Road, choked with traffic and flanked by Victorian Terraces, becomes lit up by the fairy lights of wine bars at night to give the appearance of the Boulevard Montemartre at the dawn of electric lighting.

I’m always surprised by the interest painting in public creates. People who wouldn’t enter an art gallery might spend twenty minutes watching and chatting, sometimes telling me their life stories. A homeless guy once gave me 20p for a cup of tea; I didn’t have the heart to ask for the other 80p. Rather than a distraction I find these encounters interesting and they act as a counterbalance to the rather isolated life of an artist.

Once I had found a location and time of day to paint I would set up my ease, often in front of a shop window or under a street lamp for the light to work by, and then paint fast and loose in either acrylic, pastel or oils to capture the rapidly changing light and the activity going on around me. I would sometimes finish them on the spot, but more often I would finish them in the studio where the imagination could take over.

Fifteen of the paintings were exhibited at the Biscuit Factory in March. I could then look with fresh eyes at the beauty I am surrounded by around my home in Allendale; this is currently my main subject. But when the nights draw in again I will return to the city to develop the theme. 

Comments from a recent exhibition at the Queens Hall, Hexham.

"Stunning portraits, terrific landscapes and cityscapes. Inspiring!" J.F.

"I like my daddys paintings." Eliesha (Age 5) xxx

"Very impressive beautiful work". M.A.B.

"This is a splendid exhibition - vital, powerful with feeling and depth." Stan Beckensall

"Brilliant portraits - powerful and capturing character. Landscapes have realism, beauty and a touch of menace. Congratulations." Peter Carr

"Great work Peter. Very flamboyant but controlled brushwork. Very fresh and strong compositions." Sue Malkin

"Gorgeous exhibition, loved 'Northumberland Street' and 'Dave'. Makes me smile." Laura Woodhall