Pete McDonald

Part of

The Perch

Academics, historians, archaelogists, all of them - they struggled for years to uncover the true facts behind the work of this artist. Who was the person behind these remarkable works that were beloved by fans and valued by clients all over the world? Who was the genius behind the mask? A conference was held in which experts debated possible theories - could their talent have been explained by the fact that they were secretly a collective? Or a front for an underground sweatshop? Or perhaps they were bestowed with imagemaking powers as their home planet crumbled to pieces and they were sent to earth to keep us safe, with pictures? These were all possible. Then there was the other guy, in the corner, who suggested that maybe they just didn't give us a bio. He was laughed out of the room, and the rest of the experts met in the bar for drinks.

Name:

Pete McDonald

Place of Birth:

Christchurch, New Zealand

Currently Living in:

Banks Peninsula, New Zealand

Train, bus, bike, or other:

Legs

What's the most important object in your studio?

The pencil because I always start with a sketch.

Paper or Plastic?

Paper - plastic's evil :)

If you could resurrect one no longer living person to have lunch with, knowing you will have to return them to the grave right after coffee, who would it be?

My answer for this question's always changing but right now it would be the salty old sea dog - Herman Melville, he's one of my favourite writers and I love his subject matter - sailing ships escapism and adventure.

Preferred method of dealing with an encounter with an acquaintance whose name you can't remember.

Hope I have a friend with me and introduce my friend to the acquaintance. I usually get their name at this point without any embarassment. Or just use "dude" "man" or "bro" if I'm by myself, that way avoiding the name situation altogether.

Why don't you flip the tortoise over, Leon?

Ah because the turtle will nip me.

How much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?

It depends on how much the woodchuck likes chucking wood. It varies depending on the woodchuck.

Favourite client so far?

Engine in Sydney, great Creative Director over there.

Favourite imaginary client?

It would have to be Winfield cigarettes, I just love how they sell cancer in a really sexy way - Joking! No, I think my favouite imaginary client would be anyone in the public who would like to put my work on their wall.

How does your mother describe your profession?

Proudly

Coffee or tea?

Both - why choose

What's your earliest drawing memory?

Lying on the floor at my Gran's

How do you prefer to spend your mornings?

Lying on a deck on a white sand beach somewhere with an ice cold lime and soda.