Voice of Byron

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EXCITING NEW Byron Bay artist Peter Hodges has released some of his works exclusively through Voice of Byron.

Peter, a long time Bay local, has been quietly creating painting after painting since the 1980s… but never for sale, just for his family and friends.

Here’s Peter’s story:

“My first memory upon arriving in Byron Bay was sitting in the back seat of my parents’ car with my brothers and sisters at the Main Beach car park beside the old Surf Club, and watching local fishermen hauling in a large net full of sea mullet.

“The year was 1973 and the old Shirley Street house we lived in was soon replaced by one my father built with the help of Barry (Mick) Baxter, a local builder.

“Barry’s family owned a bait and tackle general store two doors from our place.

“Behind the shop was a shed in Shirley Lane. This is where I found my first job after leaving school, making surf skis.

“Jeff Heers, Michael Cundith, Neil Merscham and Shonnie Bos all worked there, making the first Sky Surfboards.

“Not long after, a large factory was built in the Industrial Estate. At the time there were only three buildings out there.

“I worked there for 7 years and within that time I moved from my parents’ home to Clarkes Beach Caravan Park with my elder sister Pam and my brother Rob.

“We lived in a bond wood caravan. A little later we had a new border in the van – a good friend of mine, Dave Bennie.

“It was the best site in the park, at the top of the track leading to the beach, with a perfect view to the Pass.

“Many treasured memories were created there from Sue Light and her horses on the beach to the many cats and dogs which were all allowed back then.

“I also recall we bought a boat from Barry’s mother after his father passed away. The caretaker of the park would tow it with his 4×4 from the park and down to the beach, in return for a share of our catch.

“Those years were certainly some of the best.

“Over the years I worked in a few businesses – the Mexican Mick’s factory, Cape Byron Imports, Lord Byron Resort, Ozigo Service Station, the Beach Hotel and various building sites.

“There were also times I went away for work, like at Brisbane Airport and building bridges for the RTA out western NSW.

“I helped build my own house in Campbell Lane, Bangalow, above the showground markets. It was the early 1990s and the builder was Peter Blumson.

“This was where I started painting and local artists Andy Patchet, Geoff Poll and Rod Black were always good for feedback.

“Over the years I’ve attended courses with Lenny Hend and also Ian Pearson.

“My mother also paints and I read books as well, to help with my development.

“I could never find the time to attend college or university even though there were times I wished I could.

“The paintings I’m doing now are local scenes I have been planning to paint for a good while – all from a viewpoint below the Lighthouse on the eastern face of Cape Byron.

“It’s a place where Barry Baxter used to take my father fishing around the rocks.

“From the first time I went there I loved its rugged, raw beauty and it’s a place not many have ever visited, which is a rare thing these days.”