Peter Barrett was born in 1935.  His early education took place during the war in Kent, Lancashire, North Wales and Surrey.  He went on to Dulwich College where he was singled out by the art master, a Royal Academician, for extra art education.  He attended evening classes at Chelsea Art School before National Service in the Navy.  After his service he was offered a place at Camberwell Art School as well as the chance to go to university.  He refused both, preferring to learn through experience.

He began his career by working in design groups and advertising agencies in London, Canada and Athens.  It was in Greece that he was able to turn his attention back to painting. He spent a long period living on the islands of Sifnos and Amorgos in the Cyclades with trips back to England for four one-man exhibitions at the Drian Galleries, London.  A couple of paintings, large abstracts in oil, were accepted for the Royal Academy Summer Show.

While in Greece his fascination in the natural world led him to paint detailed and accurate watercolours of wildlife, work that was brought to the attention of Artist Partners, London, who became his agent for commissions from publishers.

Peter has illustrated over 40 books on wildlife as well as children’s books.  Commissions came from clients in UK, Europe and USA making it possible to lead a life as an artist.  The peak of his career as an illustrator was ‘Evolution’ published by Mitchell Beazley and the University of California in 2009.  It was written by palaeontologist Douglas Palmer from an original idea of Peter’s and produced in close co-operation between author and artist.  It is now available as an app.

Peter is a versatile and productive artist, both as a commissioned illustrator in watercolour and as a painter of his own subjects in oils, pastels and watercolours.  While based in Devon since 1974, he has recorded the wildlife and landscapes he has seen, locally in the south west of England, but also on his travels in Africa, Greece, New Zealand, Europe and the States.

His work has been exhibited in one-man shows at many galleries, including Illustrators Gallery, London; Exe Gallery, Exeter; Otterton Mill, Devon; Chris Beetles Gallery, London; British Council Gallery, Athens and in galleries in Ioannina and Papingo, Greece.  His work has appeared in many mixed shows in London, Greece and USA.  He also held exhibitions in his studio in the Culm Valley, Devon.

Peter’s oils, pastels and watercolours can be viewed in his studio.  Telephone for an appointment 01823.680192

Below, some examples of Peter’s work in a variety of media.