Peisley's art arose from humble beginnings. Growing up in Australia, his talent for playing piano in a local pub as a child would provide money for painting supplies. As a young man, he received many awards for his art.

In 1945, he came to the United States to study at Yale. He later received the Rockefeller Grant for working and teaching in the field of art history. He spent a total of 52 years in the U.S. teaching painting and painting portraits.

Peisley painted the portraits of many famous figures, such as Sir Percy and Lady Spender, Sir Thomas Beecham, and Dr. Albert Einstein. With over 30 one-man shows, he has received numerous of awards. These include the Paula Papp Prize for Landscape Painting and the South Hampton Art Club First Prize for Best Painting. Peisely sadly passed away in 1997.

John Piesley