About

The Philosophy Behind the Work

Peter J. Mars is a High-Risk Security Contractor, author and visual artist. His work is shaped by more than three decades of operational experience in war and conflict zones, high-risk environments and international diplomatic security operations. He remains operationally active and translates his experiences, observations and knowledge into both written and visual work.

Where the boundary lies between art and the visual processing of an operational life, he deliberately leaves to the viewer.

BOOKS | His books explore situational awareness, mental and operational analysis, safety for children aged 8 to 15, and first-hand operational experience. The subjects differ, but share the same foundation: practical experience, observation and human behaviour under a wide range of circumstances.

PAINTINGS | His paintings are original acrylic works inspired by conflict zones, operational deployments and the psychological pressure of extreme conditions.

Each painting is created in acrylic on canvas. Alongside other techniques, Peter uses original operational objects directly connected to the subject depicted. Rather than working exclusively with traditional brushes, he uses, among other items, his combat knife, sections of a parachute, empty cartridge cases, bullet tips, a copper block made from twelve melted Kalashnikov rounds, an axe, a compass, pressure dressings and other authentic operational equipment.

These objects are not added to the work as decoration; they are physically used during the painting process. Scratches, impressions, lines and textures are created directly on the canvas. As a result, each painting carries physical traces of objects that formed part of his operational life. Peter therefore incorporates his experiences not only into the subject of the painting, but literally into the process of its creation. It gives the art a soul.

Greyhall Publishing brings together his books, paintings and other original projects under one name. Authenticity, experience, discretion and craftsmanship form its foundation - not mass production or commercial trends.

“In order to write or paint about life, first you must live it.”

 

Stay frosty!

P2M