Peter McGill

Peter McGill was born in Ottawa but spent much of his early life living in various parts of the world, shaped by the global perspective that came from his father’s career as a Canadian diplomat. This international upbringing gave him a deep appreciation for cultural diversity and built environments—an influence that would later inform both his architectural and artistic work.

Peter pursued post-secondary studies in architecture, a discipline that continues to resonate through the structural and spatial qualities of his artwork. Over the past 40 years, he has worked in architectural firms in both Ottawa and Vancouver, while always maintaining a parallel practice in drawing and painting.

Though he experimented with acrylics and oils for many years, it was a watercolour course at Emily Carr University that sparked a deeper connection to painting. Watercolour’s balance of control and spontaneity offered a natural complement to his architectural training, allowing him to explore atmosphere, light, and form in new ways.

Peter’s work is also heavily influenced by his personal life and travels. His wife is from Croatia, and their extended visits to the Adriatic region have provided rich visual material for his recent paintings. The historic textures, shifting coastal light, and timeless quality of the Croatian landscape are recurring themes throughout his work.

Today, Peter McGill’s paintings reflect a unique blend of architectural sensibility and emotional resonance, capturing both the form and feeling of the places that have shaped him.