Peter Gilman

Photo:WINTER VILLAGE, ink and wash drawing

WINTER VILLAGE, ink and wash drawing

Photo:AUTUMN AFTERNOON, watercolour

AUTUMN AFTERNOON, watercolour

PAINTING - East Anglia and Beyond

By Peter Greener

Peter Gilman Painting  - East Anglia and Beyond  

In November The Picturecraft Gallery at Holt, Norfolk organised an exhibition of paintings by Peter Gilman accompanied by a book about his life and work. Most of the pictures on show are illustrated in the book, which includes biographical details of the artist by several colleagues and friends. There are over 20 pictures of Ashwell including many that have not been exhibited before. Peter Gilman (1928-1984) lived in the Ashwell for a number of years and stands out as the most important artist of the 20th century to deal with the local topography.  ‘He was a professional marine and landscape artist painting in a traditional style in oils, acrylics and watercolours. He preferred to paint in situ outdoors enjoying the communion between painting and nature in all seasons.’  

The gallery have generously donated a copy of the book to the museum, you are welcome to come and view it.

The book details are: Peter Gilman, Painting East Anglia and Beyond by Michael and Adrian Hill. Pub by Halstar.       ISBN 978 1 906690 20 5     £24.99  

However we also thought some examples would be an essential addition to our collection so with the help of the Friends and the Hertfordshire Heritage Fund we are purchasing two paintings.  

This page was added on 01/01/2010.
Comments about this page

You may be interested to know that when I lived in Ashwell I bought a painting of the 'Seven Springs' from Peter. He was a personal friend and work colleague at ICI Welwyn up until his untimely and sudden death. The painting, in acrylic, measures 59 X 49 cms and shows in the background his wife walking their dog, Taurus. down the steps leading to the road adjacent to the Three Tuns. I now live in Scotland and would be willing to send a photograph of the painting to you for your archive. Please give me an E-mail address if you are interested

By Alex Bath
On 28/02/2013

I knew Peter in the late sixties when I lived in Stotfold. I have 3 of his paintings hanging in my lounge. My favourite is a beautiful oil painting of Norton Church near Baldock. If you would like photographs, please let me know.

By Brian Robertson
On 15/03/2013

I have just chanced on this page and I too worked with Peter at ICI. I have two small acrylics of Peter's which I would be happy to share with any interested parties.

By Graham Ankers
On 15/03/2013

Graham and Brian, Thanks you very much for your comments we would be very pleased to have photos of your pictures in our files. Please either send them straight to me at peter@ashwellmuseum.org.uk or it is possible to load them yourself onto our website.

By Peter Greener
On 15/03/2013

I, too, have paintings by Peter Gilman - a couple of sketchy watercolours around the martello tower at Aldeburgh and a big blowsy oil of flowers that he said wash't much and he'd done it very quickly. Somewhere in my stash I have another - a seascape - I bought from him off the railings at Hyde Park. He stayed one night with myself and the collector and restorer, Bob Smith in Richmond, Surrey and on our way to Aldeburgh we would pope in to see him at home. That was before he moved into a caravan. We saw him shortly before he died with no inkling of what was to happen.

By Sue Stuckey
On 19/08/2013

Really pleased to have found this site. I knew Peter back in the 70s when I lived in Letchworth.As a young painter he encouraged me a lot. Unfortunately I could never afford his work, but he was a major inspiration to me and it spurred me on in my own work. Like Peter I love to paint the landscape and have just had my 37th and most successful exhibition at St. Neots where I now live. Peter was a quiet and accomplished painter and I count myself fortunate to have known him.

By Paul todd
On 27/02/2014

I inherited a beautiful painting "Ashwell tower repairs" 1976 in oils. Eye candy.

By alistair swinn
On 03/02/2015

Lovely to see Peter's work is appreciated and becoming well known.My Father Leslie Goode, was a member at the Letchworth Art Society in the Early 70's when Peter tutuored there...My Dad bought several oils and watercolours from him at Ashwell..we have them all ..and enjoy them greatly..he was greatly influenced by Edward Seago...I am sure he will get the recogniton he deserves as time goes by. Howard Goode

By Howard Goode
On 21/04/2015

Like Graham above I worked with Peter at ICI during the late 60s in Welwyn Garden City. Peter was a skilled model maker, part of a team modeling chemical plants. I recall a large painting of Brixham Harbour painted by Peter, over the firplace in my digs. The home of Joe Munden the office postman. Peter produced many items for anniversaries and those leaving ICI.  

By Robbie McDonald
On 09/01/2016
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