Bruce G. PEARDON
Date of decease: 18.05.2001
Painting Method: Mouth painter
Short Biography
Bruce Peardon was born in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia on February the 28th, 1945. As one of six children, he lived and was educated in Brisbane until, at the age of fifteen, he joined the Royal Australian Navy. He attended a naval college in Freemantle, Western Australia for one year before being transferred to a naval base (HMAS Cerberus) in Victoria. In 1962 whilst on week leave during his time at HMAS Cerberus, he was injured in a motor vehicle accident which resulted in quadriplegia. During his period of convalescence at the Austin Hospital Spinal Unit, Melbourne, he came in contact with two other quadriplegics, James Meath and Bill Mooney, both of whome were involved in painting with the brush held in the mouth. Both of these artists had recently been granted membership with the V.D.M.F.K. Bruce had always maintained a strong interest in art as a hobby before his accident so he was naturally interested in what these other men had achieved and was keen to give painting with the brush held in the mouth a try; not only did he see it as a great therapeutic endeavour but as a possible means to financial independence. After much experimentation and helpful advice from his contemporaries, he began to master his art and was readily accepted as a student with the V.D.M.F.K. As a student, Bruces work improved to the degree that he was granted a full membership in 1972. Since then he has won acclaim for his illustrations which are used extensively on V.D.M.F.K. products, particularly three childrens books which he has written and illustrated. He has had many successes with his fine art work in exhibitions and his much sought after paintings are held in private collections throughout the world. In 1992 at Rome delegates convention, Bruce was elected on to the Management Board of the V.D.M.F.K. Apart from his love of fine art, Bruce has an extensive collection of classical music. His hobbies include a keen interest in wildlife, watching international cricket and rugby and coaching both sports at a junior level. Bruces partner of twenty-six years was his wife Christine and they have a fourteen year old son, Ben and live in the coastal hinterland of south-east Queensland. Bruce Peardon died on may the 13th, 2001