Soft Autumn Glow by Peter Hill
Paths disappear into forests, lakes reflect a moment’s stillness and windswept skies rampage over landscapes in the work of Peter Hill. His views are vast, and wild – even the cityscapes hint at a savagery that’s both intriguing and curiously appealing.
New York New York by Peter Hill
It’s clear this is work that expects to be seen – and to stop onlookers in their tracks. Peter began exhibiting his paintings early on. “ I have always had a desire to create and paint, and during my time at Sheffield college I started exhibiting work at a local restaurant, where I had a part time job,” he recalls. “I started selling my work from there and as I became less inspired by the art course I made more enquiries to art galleries both locally and in the Lake District, a place I love and have been visiting for years.”
Peter’s work continued to sell, and a few unfortunate experiences only sharpened his resolve to make his name through art. “One gallery I was exhibiting in went bust and with it I lost several pieces,” he says. “Although it saddened we at the time it didn’t deter me, I continued to paint, exhibit and sell my work.”
Months later during a family walk near Calver in the Peak District, Peter spotted a ‘To Let’ sign “on a beautiful building near Calver Mill and thought that would make an excellent gallery and studio, so I made an enquiry.”
The Peter Hill Fine Art Calver Mill gallery opened in 2004, closely followed by the PHFA Kentmere Gallery in 2005. The success of these two galleries lead Peter to invest in what is now the largest of the three sites, PHFA Sheffield Gallery with indoor /outdoor studio complete with an Andalusian Courtyard. “The Gallery was opened by local rock musician Rick Savage of Def Leppard in 2008.”
Timeless by Peter Hill won Best in Show at the 10th anniversary Windsor Art Fair
The desire to paint and create remains as strong as ever. “The excitement I feel every time I paint inspires me to want to create another piece,” he explains. “I developed my artistic style through lots of happy accidents and experimentation and most importantly being prepared to take risks.”While Peter looks at everything with a painter’s eye (“it never gets turned off!”), he admits to having a particular passion nature, especially trees.
“It is their sculptural quality – they are just all like works of art in their own right. I feel entering a forest is akin to entering or discovering a place or building for the very first time. I never tire of viewing landscapes, whether for the first time or the 1000thtime.”
Autumn Waters by Peter Hill
Peter relishes both the public and private elements of being an artist. “I love the reaction to my paintings from the people who love them, and getting lost in the moment of creation and the subsequent journey which each piece takes me on.”
You can visit Peter’s three galleries in Sheffield, the Peak District and Lake District, as well as at art shows across the UK. Find details here www.peterhillfineart.co.uk/pages/visit-us
Are you an artist or do you know an artist who would like to be showcased on SkyLightRain.com? Get in touch at judydarley (at) iCloud.com. I’m also happy to receive reviews of books, exhibitions, theatre and film. To submit or suggest a review, please send an email to judydarley (at) iCloud.com.