Born London in 1932, Pearce spent formative years at Sutton Surrey. From his local Art School, he went on to the ‘City and Guilds of Art,’ in London to study Fine Art, Drawing and Painting. He began his career in a design studio working on architectural, graphic and product design. In the early 1960's he started his own practice; mostly graphics and gained membership of the ‘Royal Society of Industrial Artists and Designers.’ He always had an interest in fine art. and in the 1970's, originally as a pastime, he began to express his love of boats, sail and steamships in painting. His style at this time was reminiscent of 19th Century ship portraits derived from childhood memories of marine paintings and engravings in his late fathers' collection of Victorian Art.

His technique at the time entailed under-painting in tempera and subsequent oil glazes on gessoed panels of mahogany or mine plywood. In 1981 he was elected to the Art Workers Guild. Examples of his work can be found in prominent marine art collections in many parts of the world, including the permanent collection at the Mystic Seaport Museum, in Mystic, Connecticut, where he was a award winner at the International Marine Art Show of 1982 at the Museum Gallery.

1976 - Special Exhibit of "Tail Ships" painted especially for the Abercrombie & Fitch Gallery New York in conjunction with 'Operation Sail'.

1980 - Modeled bas-relief portrait bust of Horatio Nelson for souvenir sales at Greenwich and Portsmouth Naval Museums

1982-1984 Prepared a series of 12 of 'The Great 19'" Century Clipper Ships' on fine porcelain and gilt plates for The Franklin Mint

1992 - Commissioned by Franklin Mint to paint "Cutty Sark" for Limited Edition Porcelain Plate

1995 - Commissioned by Royal Doulton to paint four famous British Sailing ships for production of porcelain plates

1998 - Commissioned by the Bradford Exchange (U.S.A.) to do commemorative painting of 'Titanic' for Limited Edition porcelain plate.

1975 - 1976 - St. Katherine's Dock Yacht Haven, London

1983 - Elected member of the International Society of Marine Painters. Has shown at the annual exhibition of the Royal Society of Marine Artists and the International Boat Show, London from 1978

From 1984-2000 - Participation in Annual International Marine Art Exhibition, Mystic, Connecticut

1994 - Participation in exhibition of work of three British Marine Artists, Amsterdam

1977 - One-man Show, Mystic Seaport Museum Participation In 'Seal, Sails and Ports,’ exhibit of important marine paintings at Kennedy Galleries New York/ Greenwich (Connecticut) Workshop Gallery

1978 - One-man show - Horton Point Lighthouse Museum, Long Island N.Y.. Inclusion in 'A Unique Marine Exhibition' at The Incurable Collector New York, followed by Special Exhibit of works in March, 1979