Memories of Peter Bearman, Ludham Artist.

Memories of Peter Bearman - Artist.

Peter was born on the 7th June, 1942 in Greenwich, South East London, where he grew up.

Upon leaving school he joined the Merchant Navy and took up painting as an Off-watch pastime.

On leaving the Navy in the late '60s, still painting, he took up leatherwork to finance his trips to Spain and Morrocco, painting along the way.

After settling in Norfolk in 1972,  the painting took over from leatherwork and he opened his first gallery in Thurne. This enabled him to purchase his boat, the "Broadland Belle", in 1974, on which he lived and worked.

In 1979 he moved into the Old School House, Horsey and converted the outbuildings into his studio and gallery.

Peter died in 2017 aged 75.

In the beginning of my time in Ludham, I was living on my boat ‘Broadland Belle’. I was offered a mooring in the grounds of Ludham Manor, at the time owned by the Doctors Gabriel. The Manor at the time was occupied by a group of people hoping to set up an arts and crafts venue. I decided not to get too involved.

From where I was moored, most days I would walk to Throwers for shopping. I would pass an empty cottage, which was more or less derelict, just a few doors from the Corner Cabin. One day, after enquiring about the cottage, I met Mr. Brown, the then owner, and I told him how I thought the place might be used. He, bless him, was intrigued and found the key.

As we were opening the door, he told me it had been many years  since anybody had been in there, maybe as many as 50 years. As the door opened, the years of cobwebs swayed on the draft from the open door, disturbing the air inside. Any wallpaper had long since come off the wall; it was a mess. Mr. Brown said to me, “You probably don’t want to take it on”. But on the contrary.
The place was full of calm and potential. I had no money, but we made a deal, based on my takings rather than rent, which is a nice way to do things as it is based on trust.

One week later, after much cleaning and lots of chip paper to bandage the plaster walls, I was open for business. My first morning was a huge success and I was up and running, which for me started a very happy time in my life, - two or three years of warmth around 1978.

Richard Elphick took over from me, selling his own stock and my work, which was part of the deal between us. There again no money just trust. It worked great and got me set up here at Horsey.

I very much admired the skills of Richard’s dad, Les. He worked in the grounds of the Manor. He was a highly skilled furniture restorer and he became a very close friend. I was in awe of his skill.

Peter at Work


Peter's Gallery in Horsey


In Peter's Studio