Peter Brown ROI NEAC

Peter Brown, often known as “Pete the Street,” is a British painter born in Reading in 1967. He is widely recognised for his vibrant cityscapes and street scenes, often painted outdoors in all weather conditions. Brown is a member of the Royal Institute of Oil Painters (ROI) and the New English Art Club (NEAC), among other organisations. His work captures the life and movement of towns and cities, focusing on the energy of everyday moments. Peter is often associated with Bath, the city that inspired him to revisit figurative painting after his explorations into abstraction which took him from art school in Manchester in the late eighties up until 1992. While he has lived and painted for most of his adult life in Bath, his work takes him to countless locations across the UK and around the world.

Peter Brown’s style is lively, textured, and impressionistic, with a strong emphasis on capturing the mood and light of a scene in real time. Working mainly in oils, but sometimes charcoal, and very occasionally pastel, he often paints directly outdoors, even in rain or snow, to record the immediate atmosphere of the places he visits. His loose brushwork, rich colours, and focus on the changing effects of weather and light give his cityscapes a vivid sense of life. Brown’s paintings celebrate the beauty of ordinary scenes, from busy streets to quiet corners, always full of energy and character.

Peter Brown draws inspiration from the bustle of city life, focusing on streets, markets, parks, and public spaces filled with people and movement. His subjects range from the familiar architecture of Bath to the lively streets of London, Paris, and further afield to India, Vietnam, Havana, New York, and across Europe. “I start with what tickles me, and this is likely to be a certain play of the light, weather, space and everyday life. Most of my drawings and paintings take several sittings over consecutive days and in that time, I may meet police officers, dog walkers, road sweepers, residents, and tourists.” Peter is drawn to a crowd. And whilst he doesn’t consider himself to be a portrait artist, he loves to capture people going about their business – from the hustle and bustle of city life to families crowded onto a sunny beach.

Peter Brown has received numerous awards throughout his career, recognising both his technical skill and his contribution to contemporary painting. He has won prizes from many organisations such as the Royal Institute of Oil Painters and Royal Society of British Artists. Peter is also a member of several national art societies, most notably the NEAC (New English Art Club) where he has recently completed a five-year term as the society’s President. His commitment to painting outdoors, regardless of the challenges posed by weather or surroundings, has earned him a reputation for authenticity and dedication.

Peter Brown earned the nickname “Pete the Street” because of his dedication to painting city streets directly from life. He is often seen working outdoors, setting up his easel on busy pavements, in markets, and by roadsides, painting scenes as they unfold around him. Rain, sun, or snow, Brown embraces the challenges of painting in the open air, believing it brings an immediacy and authenticity to his work. The nickname reflects both his passion for urban scenes and his reputation for being a constant, familiar presence in the places he paints.