He completed a B S in biology from Kansas State University and an MS in Pathobiology from the University of Connecticut. He has worked as an artist for 47 years. In 1993 he returned to the classroom to teach chemistry and recently retired as the head of the science department for Bunnell High School in Stratford. He continues to teach Biology as an adjunct professor at Housatonic Community College in Bridgeport CT. Peter’s scientific background coupled with his artistic sensibility give his sculpture precision and a particular intimacy. Peter works in three distinct styles: representational bird carvings; traditional decoys and stylized realism. His media are wood , bronze castings and stone. Peter is also an elected artist member of the American Society of Marine Artists. His work has been exhibited in many galleries and shows including the Mystic Maritime Gallery and Greenwich Workshop. At the Great Stratford Bird Festival he was referenced as continuing the tradition of the “ Stratford School “ of renowned bird carvers.
In recent years he has had one man shows at the Westport Nature Center and at the Connecticut Coastal Audubon Center in Milford CT. Other exhibits include Aubrey’s World at the Seaman’s Church Institute in New York City and the J. Russell Jinishian Gallery in Stonington Connecticut. Peter is one of a select few modern marine artists included in Mr. Jinishian’s book entitled Bound for Blue Water. In a new challenge Peter redesigned the corporate logo for Boys and Girls Village in Milford Connecticut and transformed it into a bronze statue that depicts the school’s goal of helping youth in need. The statue stands at the entrance of the school as a welcome to all visitors.
Peter exhibits at numerous art festivals throughout the Northeast. His works are represented in numerous private collections and during the course of his career his birds have migrated to approximately twenty five different countries.
Peter is a wildlife sculptor who specializes in birds and marine mammals.
Contact Information : psbowe.art@gmail.com , petersbowe@juno.com
Cell number (203) 394-7816
Blue Heron Taking Flight
The Artist with a Peregrine Falcon
Peter Bowe Wildlife Sculptor
The Peregrine Falcon was inspired by a young Tercel male Falcon that Peter observed while out in his skiff expecting to photograph local shorebirds at the mouth of the Housatonic River.
The bird is sculpted from Basswood mounted on a driftwood base with black walnut trim.
Exhibition Schedule 2023
Bruce Museum Greenwich CT, May 20 - 21
Westport CT, May 27 - 28
Narragansett RI , June 24 - 25
Wickford RI , July 8 - 9
SONO Arts , Norwalk CT August 7 - 8
Lenox Ma , July 15 - 16
Mystic CT, August 13 - 14
Bruce Museum Greenwich CT October 7 - 8
Roseland Cottage Woodstock CT October 14 - 15
Studio Visits welcome by appointment at psbowe.art@gmail.com
cell : 203 -394- 7816
J. Russell Jinishian Gallery Stonington Art Walk
Peter exhibits with the Jinishian Gallery. Russell has represented Peter’s work for the past 40 years. The artist recently participated in the Stonington Art Walk at the gallery..
Artist In Residence
Peter presented a Gallery Opening, Workshop & Lecture on Shorebirds of Napatree Point.
Watch Hill has a history rich with shorebirds. Napatree Point is the southernmost and westernmost point of mainland Rhode Island. It extends 1.5 miles west into Little Narragansett Bay from Watch Hill. The area has been formally designated a “Globally Important Bird Area” by the National Audubon Society. Each Fall tens of thousands of shorebirds use the point as a resting site during their southern migration. The workshop will focus on local and migrant shorebirds of Rhode Island. Peter has exhibited his Wildlife Sculpture in Rhode Island for the past 45 years. The workshop offered a rare first time opportunity to participate in a shorebird carving class with the artist. Each participant completed a decoy style carving of either a Piping Plover, Sandpiper or an Oystercatcher.
Black Skimmer Feeding
Inspired by the sight of a Black skimmer as it knifes its way across the surface of the water with an elegant grace and beauty unmatched in nature.
As a Boy Peter was fascinated by Skimmers when he observed an original Audubon print on exhibit at the Peabody Museum at Yale University. He has since viewed them first hand at the mouth of the Housatonic River near his home. Each summer they also frequent the local salt ponds and marshes of the North East.
Peter captures the moment and movement with his Bronze. This piece was originally sculpted in Black Walnut and cast as a limited edition of seven castings. The original resides on a baby grand piano in the artist’s living room while the bronze on display is the original # 1/7.
Bronze Casting 34” x 15” x 18 “ $ 14,000
Blue Whale with Calf
The Blue Whale is the largest creature to have ever lived, reaching a maximum length of 98 ft. That would equal the length of three school buses. Ironically as the largest animal , they feed on the smallest animals, the zooplankton and krill. The maximum speed of a Blue Whale has been recorded at between 12 - 30 mile per hour. They continue to be an endangered species in part due to whaling and sound pollution from ships.
Carved Basswood with soapstone and Walnut base
28” x 16” x 20” $ 1600
Ocean Dancer : Breaching Humpback
One of the most magnificent sights in nature is that of a Humpback Whale breaching. Peter has observed Humpbacks off the Coasts of Alaska, Cape Cod and Newfoundland. Two summers ago one was observed breaching in Long Island Sound near the mouth of the Housatonic River within a mile of his home .
He missed that one !
Hand Carved Black Walnut with a soapstone base
12” x 12” x 18” $ 1600
Humpback Whale Sounding
In Nature the sight of a Humpback Sounding is equally as majestic as that of a breaching whale. As they prepare to dive they lift their massive Flukes with grace and elegance then silently descend into the depths of the ocean.
Black Walnut with Soapstone base: 12” x 12” x 9” $ 900
Humpback with Calf :
“ The Swimming Lesson”
At birth Humpback Calves weigh about 3000 lbs. They stay with their Mother for about two years. The calves consume about 50 gallons of milk per day and gain about 100 lbs per day.
Carved Basswood with Soapstone base
18” 18” x 24” $ 1400
Eye To Eye: Humpback Whale
While visiting Newfoundland many years ago, Peter had the opportunity to witness a young female Humpback whale rescued from entanglement in a fishing net. He was fortunate to observe the 35 foot whale at a distance of ten feet from an inflatable Zodiac. He recounts the experience not as whale watching but rather being watched by a whale. Eye to Eye brings to mind viewing a chard of pottery in a museum. The viewer sees only a fragment of the whole. As with the pottery we see only a glimpse of the magnificent creature. To this very day the encounter remains a humbling experience.
Soapstone with a Black Walnut Base:
14” x 12” x 9” $ 900
Cascading Penguins
This piece depicts group of flightless Adelie Penguins that are airborne for a fleeting moment as they cascade downward from an ice flow into the icy waters of the Antarctic.
Bronze Casting 12” x 12’ x 28” $ 8500
King Penguin:king penguin, (Aptenodytes patagonicus),
Kings are the second largest member of the penguin order (Sphenisciformes), characterized by its dignified, upright posture, long bill, and vivid coloration. King penguins are found on several Antarctic and subantarctic islands; breeding populations of A. patagonicus occur on South Georgia, the Falkland Islands and the South Sandwich Islands.
Carved Basswood with an Alabaster base 15” x 15” x 34”
Chinstrap & Gentoo Penguins
It was only after I researched these species that I realized how they are impacted differently by Krill, the Keystone species of the Antarctic.
The specialized foraging of the Chinstraps make them more susceptible to fluctuations in Krill while the generalized foraging of the Gentoo has allowed them to increase population over the past 40 years. They are carved in cherry and mounted on a white soapstone base with cherry trim. The pattern of spots on the Gentoo’s head seems to reflect the many Constellations of the Southern Hemisphere such as the Southern Cross.
each: 14” x 16” x 16”
Lioness of The Sea
Lioness of the Sea is a life size representation of a female Stellar Sea Lion hauled out on a rocky coastline to bask in the sun. The sculpture is a one of a kind Bronze casting and was on exhibit at the Mystic Seaport International exhibition before its final location as the centerpiece in a fountain in Westport Connecticut.
Bronze Casting : displayed on cast stone with Mahogany trim
50” x 50” x 32” ( private collection / inquiries accepted )
Ocean Dancer : Sea Lion
Sea Lions are masterful swimmers able to out pace their prey. They can reach a maximum speed of almost 14 mph and generate thrust , or forward propulsion, by bringing their fore-flippers together in big sweeping motions called “ claps” where they stretch their flippers out to the sides and sweep them down. They then tuck them against their body, forming a dynamic torpedo shape that glides easily through the water.
Black Walnut with Soapstone Base
10” x 10” x 23” $ 1,600
Sea Lions at Play:
Sea Lions are marine mammals called Pinnipeds which means fin footed. They belong to the Family Otariidae characterized by external ear flaps unlike seals. They are expert free divers and swimmers capable of reaching depths over 900 feet and exceeding speeds of 20 mph. They generate power using their fore flippers and use their hind flippers to steer. Sea Lions are very social and can often be seen playfully interacting together.
Black Walnut with Soapstone Base
8 “x 14” x 29”
HUMPBACK WHALES
“ Prelude to Bubble Net Feeding”
This piece depicts the moment prior to Bubble Net Feeding.
This is a process by which whales work in collaboration to create a ring of bubbles that fish perceive to be an impenetrable wall. Once trapped the whales ascend through the net consuming their catch.
Basswood mounted on a stone base with Black Walnut trim
32” x 32” x 38 “ $ 3500.00
Wings In The Sea
Peter has observed Humpbacks off the coast of Newfoundland Cape Cod and in Long Island Sound. Known for their great breaching capabilities they also have the largest pectoral fins of any whale species. While on the surface they often role over with their magnificent fins raised toward the sky. They are truly Wings in the Sea.
Carved Cherry 15” x 15” x 48” $4000
FIRST BREATH
First Breath captures the critical moment after a humpback whale calf is born. The calf unable to swim on its own is guided to the surface by the mother to take its first breath.
Carved Cherry with a marble base and Black Walnut trim.
10” x 12 “ x 36” $ 2000.00
Ocean Dancers
Peter stopped using tropical rainforest woods 25 years ago due to deforestation in the rainforests of the World. Recently he found an old sketch book that contained a preliminary drawing for the idea of demonstrating the playfulness of Dolphins in the wild. He also found a piece of Mahogany in the back of his workshop equally as old. Ocean Dancers is carved from a single piece of Mahogany.
Carved Mahogany 10” x 8” x 12” $900 SOLD
Thresher’s Tail (Tale)
Most people think of sharks and their fearsome jaws. The Thresher is a unique exception. This piece depicts a twelve foot Thresher Shark of which the magnificent tail makes up five feet of the overall length. When feeding the shark swims with great speed, encircling its prey. The resulting force generated by the tail prevents the fish from escaping.
Carved Cherry 15” x 15” x 60” SOLD $ 8500
Hammerhead Shark
The Hammerhead is unique among shark species with its distinct hammer shaped head with the eyes located at the outer edges of the head. This protects them when attacking stingrays. The piece captures its movement as it closes in on its prey.
Carved Black Walnut 12” x 9” x 10” $ 750
Wings In The Sea : Giant Manta Ray
Giant Manta Rays are one of the largest fishes in the world with a wingspan of up to 29 ft. They belong to the Family Mobulidae which means mantas. Despite their large size they are similar to the largest fishes in that they feed on the smallest sea creatures. They constantly swim with their mouths open, filtering plankton and other small food from the water. To aid in this strategy, giant mantas have specialized flaps, known as cephalic lobes, which help direct more water and food into their mouths. As they gracefully glide through the depths of the ocean they truly display “Wings In The Sea”
Black Walnut with Soapstone Base
10” x 12” x 16”
Breaching Humpback
A breaching Humpback Whale is one of the truly breathtaking sights in nature. They can be seen off the coast of New England every summer.
Carved Soapstone with a Walnut base
9” x 6” x 6” $ 500
Narwhal
The Narwhal is often referred to as the unicorn of the sea. It is a medium sized toothed whale that inhabits the icy Arctic waters off Alaska. The tusk is actually the upper left canine tooth that protrudes through the upper lip.
Carved Soapstone 6” x 6” x 14” $ 1200
Black Skimmer Feeding
The Black skimmer glides over the surface of the water fishing for dinner with an elegant grace and beauty unmatched in nature. As a Boy Peter was fascinated by Skimmers when he observed an original Audubon print on exhibit at the Peabody Museum at Yale University. He has since viewed them first hand at the Coastal Audubon Center in Milford CT.
Carved Basswood with a soapstone base and Black Walnut trim
16” x 12’ x14’ $ 1500.00
Atlantic Puffin
Peter has observed and photographed Puffin colonies in Newfoundland. The Puffin with its whimsical appearance is actually a hardy seabird of the North Atlantic. They breed in underground burrows but spend most of the year at sea.
Carved in Basswood mounted on an Alabaster stone base with Walnut trim
10” x 10” x12” $ 1100.00
Laughing Gull
The laughing Gull is common during the summers off the coast of New England.
Carved in Poplar on a stone base with Black Walnut trim
14” x 12” x 15” $ 1100.00
Oyster Catcher
The Oyster Catcher is a common Shore bird of the New England coast. They are characterized by their bright orange bill and shrill call.
Carved in Basswood mounted on a driftwood base with Walnut trim
12” x 10” x 12” $ 900.00
Kingfisher
This piece represents a female Kingfisher inspired from Greek mythology where Alcyone daughter of Aeolus ( God of Wind ) leaped from a cliff into the sea grieved by the loss of her husband in a shipwreck. The Gods took pity on her and allowed her to return to life as a Kingfisher. This is one of the few cases where the female is more colorful than the male .
Carved Poplar : 12” x 12” 16” $ 1200
Little Green Heron
Little Green herons are frequent visitors to the marshes along the East Coast. Their muted colors provide camouflage helping them to blend into the colors and shadows in the marsh.
Carved Basswood 14” x 9” x 10” $900
Least Sandpiper
This tiny shorebird is often seen chasing the receding waves to catch small crustaceans as well as being chased back onto shore by the incoming waves.
Carved Basswood 9” x 6” x 6” $ 400
Piping Plover
During visits to the beach as a child the artist was drawn to Piping Plovers. He would chase after the adults believing they were injured when in fact they would feign having a broken wing and lead him away from the nest. Piping Plovers are endangered and their nesting sites are protected.
Basswood : 6” x 6” x 5” $ 500
Sanderling
The Sanderling in a common shorebird that is a year round resident of the New England Coast. This piece depicts the bird in its winter plumage facing into a cold wind much like a weather vane.
Carved Basswood 9” x 4” x 6” $ 400
Blue Footed Booby
The Blue Footed Booby is a comical looking seabird in the Pacific Ocean. They are known for their ritual mating dance and bright cerulean blue feet.
Carved Basswood 14” x 9” x 12” $ 1100