As an artist, there are some projects that come along which feel incredibly special. Being selected to paint one of the Peter Rabbit™ sculptures for the Tales on the Tyne Art Trail has been one of those unforgettable experiences. This is my fourth time taking part in a Wild in Art sculpture trail, and it's wonderful to be part of it all again!
Presented by St Oswald's Hospice in partnership with Wild in Art and The World of Peter Rabbit™, the free sculpture trail brings together over 40 individually designed Peter Rabbit sculptures across Newcastle and North Tyneside. Running from 15th July to 14th September 2026, the trail celebrates creativity, community and our beautiful region, while raising vital funds and awareness for the incredible work of St Oswald's Hospice. At the end of the trail, the large sculptures will be auctioned to help support local families living with life-limiting conditions.
From Sketchbook to Sculpture
Every sculpture begins with a blank fibreglass Peter Rabbit and a design idea.
I submitted two designs for the trail, and I'm delighted that my chosen concept, Peter the Pirate, was selected. Inspired by my love of all things nautical, I wanted to create a character that children would instantly fall in love with, while including plenty of little details for adults to discover as they walked around the sculpture.
The journey actually started back in December 2025, when Peter first appeared as a simple sketch in my sketchbook. Looking back at those first drawings, it's incredible to see how an idea develops from a rough concept into a full-sized piece of public art. My initial design had an eye patch and a sword but I was encouraged to make him a little more kiddy friendly for the final version!
Of course, every competition has "the one that got away!" I also submitted a sunflower-themed design which sadly wasn't selected this time. Looking back though, I don't think I would have had time to paint two sculptures anyway!
Bringing Peter to Life
Painting a sculpture is very different from working on canvas or paper. Every curve, fold and angle has to be carefully considered so the artwork flows naturally around the three-dimensional form.
Transforming a plain white Peter Rabbit into a colourful pirate took many hours of planning, drawing and painting. One of the things I focused on most was getting Peter's eyes just right. I wanted him to make a connection with people as they approached and, although he's a pirate, to have a kind, friendly expression rather than looking too fierce. I hope I've managed to strike the perfect balance!
Thank You to Treehorn Offshore
I'm incredibly grateful to Treehorn Offshore for choosing my design and sponsoring Peter the Pirate.
The support of local businesses is what makes projects like this possible. Their sponsorship allows artists to create work that can be enjoyed by thousands of visitors while helping to raise vital funds for such an important local charity. It has been a real pleasure working on this project with their support.
Explore the Trail
If you're visiting Newcastle or North Tyneside this summer, I would highly recommend following the Peter Rabbit™: Tales on the Tyne sculpture trail. It's a fantastic way to explore the region, discover new places and enjoy an amazing collection of artwork created by talented artists from across the UK.
Don't forget to download the trail app or pick up a trail map and sticker book to help you collect every sculpture. If you find Peter the Pirate, I'd love to see your photos, so please tag me and use #TalesOnTheTyne when you share them on social media.
If you're passing through Cullercoats, we also have free trail maps available in the gallery, so do pop in, pick one up and say hello!
Finally, I'd like to say a huge thank you to everyone at St Oswald's Hospice, Wild in Art, The World of Peter Rabbit™, and Treehorn Offshore for making this wonderful project possible. It has been a privilege to be involved in another North East sculpture trail, and I hope Peter the Pirate brings smiles, sparks a sense of adventure and helps raise vital funds for such an incredible cause.
