A.D. Peters was born in Cleveland, Ohio, the youngest son of an inventor and electrical engineer; creativity was valued and encouraged in his family.

After winning an art scholarship to further his education after high school, he attended The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts to be educated in classical materials and techniques. He then attained his BFA in painting with a minor in filmmaking at Kent State University. After completing his degree he traveled Europe to explore museums and paint. He returned to America and lived and worked in Kent, Ohio and Key West, Florida. For 18 years Peters spearheaded an award winning art program for hospitalized veterans at the VA in Brecksville and Cleveland, Ohio. He also taught evening school at the Cleveland Institute of Art and Environmental Art at Hiram College.