Pete Schramm

I was born and raised in a small row house on a busy city street in Philadelphia, PA. As a child with a bike, I was able to explore as many parts of the city as my legs would propel me to. To this day memories of those experiences have influenced my art, in that, I am often drawn to gritty urban settings for my images.

Moving to the Lowcountry in 2001, I discovered creative inspiration along the pristine waters of Beaufort County. The untouched natural landscapes, including wading bird rookeries, small islands, and isolated salt marsh hammocks, serve as a reminder of a bygone era slowly succumbing to the encroaching sea.

Consequently, my artistic focus remains tethered to these waterscapes, whether it’s a beach, salt marsh, or moist pine forest. Additionally, I’ve forged a deep connection with the region’s history, reflected in the surviving Lowcountry homes and the heritage of the Gullah people who were once enslaved to toil in their masters’ fields. Living among their descendants, I’ve found a profound link to the past that also influences my work.