Pete Cromer | Meet the Maker

Pete Cromer is a designer, illustrator and happy art creator based on Victoria’s Surf Coast. With a keen eye for design and creativity, his distinctive style of painting involves a psychedelic combo of simplistic shapes and bright colours that represent either personalities, animals or people.

Behind the Brand

With a Bachelors Degree in Visual Communication, Pete Cromer set off with creativity on his mind, working for Hallmark Cards Australia and a number of kids based companies before going solo in 2014. His bright and cheerful work is filled with personality and combines an eclectic mix of mediums. “I think it’s just the way I see the world. That’s just the shit in my mind and so that’s what I need to get out. I just see things as more simplified blobby forms rather than detailed work… I see the world a lot more simply than I think a lot of other people do and I just find that more fun.” The emotions and personality that Pete manages to convey by using these simple shapes and colours is incredible. His vibrant work including limited edition prints, greeting cards, cement and resin sculptures, enamel pins and more.

George Takes Ten

We took ten with the main man himself, Pete Cromer.

1. What did you want to be when you grew up?

According to Mum I wanted to work with pencils, no career in particular, just something that involved the use of pencils. When Santa gave me my first Derwent set I lost my shit.

2. When and what was the moment that prompted you to start your own brand?

It was an itch that needed to be scratched. I was working as a creative manager for a company and it was very unfulfilling, I need challenges in life. I constantly have ideas in my head, so I quit and just gave my own thing a crack. Best thing ever.

3. In 3 words, describe your occupation.

Kaleidoscopic dream hustler… Ha! Sometimes I have no idea what I do.

4. What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

“You’re dead for a bloody long time.” Most sobering advice from my Dad to live your life to its fullest.

5. What is your favourite outlet to get the juices flowing?

To be honest my creative juices flow when I’m driving or taking a shower. Not my favourite places but that’s where seeds start to grow. To water ideas, I just pump some ridiculously loud music down in my studio and go for it!

6. Where do you see yourself and the brand in 10 years time?

As long as I’m still doing what I love, that’s the best forecast I can aim for me and my brand. Expect a lot of fun and interesting things to happen in the next decade.

7. If you could invite any five celebrities to dinner, who would be on the guest list?

It would be more of a liquid dinner, but I would invite Kate Ritchie (love her), RuPaul, EL-P, Kanye West and The Queen… or Nigella Lawson… or maybe David Attenborough. That’s a toughy. I’d have to draw names out of a hat.

8. What was the last rule you broke?

Does drinking scotch while doing this interview count? If not, then it would be swimming directly after eating.

9. Do you have any hidden talents?

I’m good at finding things. If you lose an earring in a crowd, come ask me for help.

10. What was the last movie you saw and was it any good?

My attention span generally doesn’t last the length of a movie. I normally get up and go do something else. The last movie that I loved was Mad Max: Fury Road. That got me going!

Why We Love Them

When we first met Pete a couple of years back, we were lucky enough to be invited into his humble abode. “Go through the gate, head right, past the main house, don’t mind about the dogs they love company, you might bump into the family that live next door, if not they’ll probably drop in anyway to say hello.” These were the instructions on how to find Pete Cromer’s place. He’s one of those people whose presence is filled with kindness and has the ability to make you feel instantly at ease. This was made even more evident when we joined him for a cuppa at home to talk about his work.

We’ve got a new found appreciation for our feathered friends after admiring Pete’s incredible work. There’s a certain simplicity to Pete’s design that gives you a happy, warm feeling deep down. Decorating with Pete Cromer goodies will most definitely emit a unique value to your humble abode. His products hold a vast amount of innovative aspects, whilst oozing personality and colour.

Meet the Maker Radio

“Get amongst it kids!”

These songs put me in a good place and me going. These are the songs today, but I change my frequency each day. Tomorrow could be Tina Turner or even hardcore dance or metal or John Denver or a mix of the lot. I suppose it’s like food, eating the same thing every day gets boring. I like to mix it up.