Pete Newell studied at Exeter College of Art from 1978 - 1981, and then achieved a Higher Diploma in Fine Art at Slade School of Art in 1983.
In 2011 he achieved a Master Degree in Art History at the Open University. He has been a part time lecturer at North Devon College since 1983 and a visiting lecturer at various colleges, including Slade School of Art.

Artist's statement:

On leaving the Slade in 1983 I ran a commercial sculpture studio for about twenty years. In the last few years, within my sketchbooks I have generated ideas that have developed into a large body of work consisting of paintings,drawings and prints reflecting several personal interests. Now, living in Bideford, my material has extended to include subjects from our industrial past and our declining maritime industry. This interest particularly focuses on the old ships,boats and other objects to be found around the quay at Bideford. Their dents, rust and unusual physical additions hint at their own individual histories.