b'in the cancolour changes over the years, from pink to green and now Resene FX Metallic Bronze. Ive found Resene Lumbersider provides great coverage whenever I have to paint over a previous colour.After so many builds, Peter has learned to seek out inspiration anywhere he can. Earlier in his career, most floats tended to be based on fairy tales, nursery rhymes and storybook characters. But as time has gone on, floats have become more commercialised and now tend to reflect pop-culture trends. I am always looking at things with float ideas in mind but the official brainstorming for the parade floats starts in about February. I will catch up with Pam and the costume team, Ronelle, Marylin and Mana, and throw ideas out there. I will then do a few float sketches and we catch up again. Once there has been a decision, I make a scale model of the design. This is used to show sponsors what the float will look like and becomes the template for the full-sized build.When not building floats for the parade, Peter has constructed plenty of other interesting creations and his portfolio is filled with commissions from all sorts of companies, organisations and causes. There was the giant lamb chop trailer for Beef + Lamb New Zealand, a scale model of the Sky Tower for the Sky Tower Atrium and smaller models that were taken on tour, big sausages, bunches ofgrapesforvineyardsandtheThomasfacesforGlenbrook Vintage Railway, to name a few, Peter recalls. He also built the faade for the recently-retired pirate ship at Rainbows End, along with the pirate that stood at its helm.While Peter primarily works alone, he has had plenty of part-time helpers assist with various projects. Over the years, I have had lots of outside help from younger people interested in art and display. My children, Jessica, Sarah and Davidwho is a builder nowhave all helped at one time or another when things have come down to the wire. At present, a good old mate, Ian Gibson, helps me on float repairs. Ian is also the parade convoy controller on Parade Day.For others who might be interested in getting into float building, Peter says that having a love of art and display and a strong imagination are essential. The ability to look at something, be it a picture in a book or a childs toy, and imagine how that could bePeter says Resene has always been his paint brand of choiceTurbo,ReseneResolutionBlue,ReseneGuardsmanRedand incorporated into a float is key.not just for floats, but for other jobs hes done as well. BlockpurplesI love them all! The Resene FX Metallic colours have Other skills can be taught on the job, the same way Peterwalls, when painting large signage on building fronts and displaygiven an extra dimension over the last few years, especially on the learnt them. You need to develop the building ability but in abackgrounds, are some of the other areas I have used them. Thespace-themed floats.way that will ensure safety for people on the floats and watchingResene colour range, for what I am doing on the parade, is secondOf course, the best place to see more of Peters work is on the the parade. That is the top priority, he stresses. My signwritingto none. The colours are so bright and vivid, I have found noneparade route at the end of November, where dazzling displays, ability and early display work has certainly helped me over thebetter. The staff at my Resene ColorShop are exceptional at goinggiant inflatables, musicians and entertainers take over Queen years. Time management is also very important. When you haveout of their way to accommodate my needs. I cant say enough. Street in Auckland in warm welcome of Santa Claus. For a peek 10 or more floats to build, plus repairs to existing floats, the footThough hes partial to yellow, Peters list of favourite Reseneatpastparades,checkouttheFarmersSantaParadephoto needs to be on the pedal for most of the year. colours is lengthy. The ones I probably use the most are Resenegallery at www.santaparade.co.nz/gallery. blackwhitemag.com 23'