Peter’s parent’s his mother a champion lady rider and his father a young Presbyterian Minister, who tended his flock on a grey gelding, courted on horseback around the beautiful countryside of his mother’s hometown of Dorrigo, in northern NSW.

Peter’s interest in horses is ever present; his thorough understanding of their anatomy and intense interest in their behaviour ensures that his paintings portray them intricately, bringing each ones character to life, no matter the medium.

Although Peter’s subject matter is varied, a common theme emerges of the image of the Australian Stockman and his mount, as well as the austere beauty of outback landscapes. Peter paints in his studio, and has enjoyed many successful exhibitions across Australia and Internationally.

A self taught artist, Peter spends quality time – often up to 100 hours – on a single drawing, and more on a painting, as it is totally drawn before paint is applied. His work reflects his absolute eye for detail, and experience has shown that he is able to develop almost ‘photographic’ images of his subjects – a compliment he has enjoyed over and over, and one which provides him with a great deal of personal satisfaction.

After attending Sydney University, Peter commenced working life as a Stock and Station Agent. His employment required him to move extensively throughout NSW and Queensland, where he often came across stockmen and drovers moving their herds along the ‘long paddocks’. Images of the countryside and it’s characters, reflecting those enjoyed by Peter as a boy growing up in Moree, are present in many of the works he produces today on a professional basis.

Peter’s wife Carolyn owns and operates The Peter Mortimore Gallery, Dorrigo NSW.