Peter R. Gerbert,
Wildlife Artist
Winner of countless
art show awards, his paintings provide realistic and unusual views
into the untamed lives of animals and birds.
Peter G’s works are all based on experiences gained by exploring
the great outdoors, studying wildlife in natural surroundings while
boating, hiking and camping in remote areas. He is very particular
about all aspects of the subject’s environment: including the
time of year, the weather, animal relationships, insects, and plant
life. A new painting begins with the research material that the artist
has collected, and a very vivid imagination. The composition is worked
and reworked, until the artist achieves a design that he’s sure
will be extraordinary. The actual painting is a layered process; working
with texture, washes and then thicker layers of acrylics to achieve
three-dimensional depth with thrilling realism. Each painting takes
one to three months to complete.
In addition to his many other achievements, in 1998 Peter G was commissioned
for the painting “Roseate Sunset” for the Inn
at Disney’s Celebration. The artist has been commissioned
three times by Bits & Pieces, Inc. for the paintings
“Life in the Everglades,” “Butterflies of the
World” and “Exotic Birds of the World,”
produced by the company as 1,000 or 1,500 piece jigsaw puzzles and
marketed internationally. The original painting “Scenic
Overlap Ahead” was included as part of the Wild Wings,
Brilliant Birds exhibit at the Tampa Museum of Art.
Since 1997, the Florida Wildlife Federation has proudly
promoted Peter R. Gerbert as featured artist. Many limited edition
prints and wildlife art products by Peter G are endorsed by the FWF
and then marketed throughout Florida, with part of the proceeds benefiting
wildlife conservation efforts. In a joint effort with the Florida
Wildlife Federation and the National Wildlife Federation,
600 “Life in the Everglades” posters were shipped
to the United States Congress in the fall of 2000
to prevail upon Congress the importance of the new Everglades Restoration
Bill. Every member became a Peter R. Gerbert art recipient when each
one was presented with this vividly detailed print to keep as a remembrance.
The restoration bill passed overwhelmingly.
In 2010, Peter R. Gerbert received a very special WILDLIFE ARTWORK
OF THE YEAR AWARD from Audubon of Florida for his
painting “The Spoonbill Lagoon.” This was the
first time the Audubon group recognized any artist with this distinction.
The very unusual Roseate Spoonbill painting made the cover of the
Florida Naturalist magazine, WINTER 2010–2011.
Now working with Audubon of Florida as a featured artist, limited
edition prints are being marketed with a portion of the proceeds benefiting
the group’s ever expanding conservation efforts.
When Peter G is not forging his way through the wilderness, he can
be found creating original works of art in his new 900 square foot
art studio overlooking wooded acreage in Hernando County, Florida.
