Just Pete

I painted a portrait of my husband Pete many years ago but it wasn't quite right, so it was relegated to the back corner of the shed. A new portrait of Peter was really very overdue. He has a great face and, naturally, it's one that I really like looking at. I also managed to get him to agree to stand still for 5 mins.

The portrait was selected as a finalist in the Portia Geach Memorial Award at SH Erwin gallery in Sydney. https://www.shervingallery.com.au/event/2025-portia-geach-memorial-award/

We don't often pay tribute to the people closest to us, but this portrait gave me the opportunity to do so, as I had to write a statement that would be displayed alongside the portrait. Pete was away at the time, so I was able to say what I wanted. He would have wanted me to understate everything!

Here is the statement and those who know him would agree. Pete would deny it all and tell you that he is very ordinary. He is many things, but not ever ordinary.

Pete Nidd is an extraordinarily capable man. He thrives in the outdoors whether that be kayaking from Victoria to Tasmania or climbing mountains and crawling through caves.   He is equally at home in his shed.  He’s the most handy person I know- ready to use his skills on any problem and his intellect for finding solutions.

His skills were forged as a farm boy, a rock climber and a kayaker. He then ran an adventure company, taught outdoor education to a generation of children and is now working offshore, problem-solving access and inspection issues.

Pete looks you in the eye with kindness and capability. The world needs many Petes, and I am very glad that I have this one. 

I painted him in a rare moment of stillness standing outside the shed. If I had tried to pose him in a chair, I would have had to teach him how to sit still. I chose to paint him on board and to let the timber show through - It suited his character.

The dog thinks he's a better subject for a portrait.

The Portia Geach runs from the 19th of September to the 2nd of November 2025 at the gorgeous S.H Ervin gallery in Sydney. There are fabulous portraits in there - treat yourself to the portraits, then have a cup of tea and cake in the cafe next door.