Meet Pete Mantle

Born in Southampton, in 1965. Studied in Portsmouth, Living in London.

Pete started drawing early, on the formica kitchen table. Here he scrawled, in pencil or biro, without leaving marks. Well, not many. Mostly Viking longboats and mythical creatures, in those days: and birds, flying, eating and flocking. Portraits too, of those that could keep still, or fall asleep quickly. So, mostly babies and ageing relatives. Detail. Of favourite hats, armchairs and trees. Yes, plenty of trees. Twisted trunks, flaky bark, the human comparisons. Learnt about darkroom etiquette, the history of art and the art of history. Enjoyed life drawing and blind contours. Found a book on Ed Burra. Moved to London. Noticed people more. Practised printing techniques, warmed to linocuts.
 

Discovered watercolours rather late! Now he gets it. Started using acrylics. Painted in Brazil. A different experience. Sun and rain daily. Back to London. Hired a studio. Returned to sculpture. Discovered Hampstead Heath, a continuing inspiration. It has three things he loves, history, trees and birds.