KATHY PETERSON

I am a self-taught artist working in watercolor, mainly landscapes. I also do pet portraits using a multi-media approach. My people portraits are generally in pencil.

I believe that we are made in the image of God, as Genesis 1:27 states. That includes creativity, as God is the master creator. Creativity is woven into every part of life. It is not limited to music and art but shows up in everything we do, whether that be as a welder, a propane technician, a schoolteacher, a translator, an engineer, a chiropractor, a farmer, etc. I am passionate about helping others discover and express their own creative abilities.

My watercolors tend to be somewhat loose and interpretive. Landscapes are all around us, but the local scenes are my favorite.

In my pet portraits I create an abstract print, then draw the portrait (using colored pencils) on the print, allowing some of the background image to influence the textures of the portrait. I finish the fine details with white and black markers.

I am also a plein air artist (painting on site). I’ve been in several plein air contests, taking home awards in some.

Meet the artist

I had a teacher in grade school who I wanted to be just like when I grew up. She was my art and music teacher- two of my favorite subjects. I went through school taking all the music and art I could.

When it was time for college, I didn’t think I was really good enough to pursue music and/or art as a career, so I got a degree in horticulture. But as fate would have it, I spent over 30 years being creative as a floral designer. The floral business was perfect for the years when I was raising my children as I was able to work part time and it provided that creative outlet I needed. During these years I also built up a piano lesson business, teaching many, many children over the past 30 plus years to play the piano.

My husband and I have 3 adult children and 9 grandchildren. During the years that they were growing up in our home, there wasn’t time, I felt, to pursue art with all the other things that needed to be done. I did however take the kids to the library on a regular basis. I always came home with a stack of watercolor books and pored over them when opportunity arose. In that way I honed my eye for beautiful watercolor.

About 25 years ago I tried my hand with the brush. I painted successfully for about 10 years with the help of a mentor from Willmar. But then an opportunity arose to double my piano lesson business. I was teaching 40-50 students weekly, and the art took second place again.

More recently, as retirement came into view, I decided to focus on increasing my skills as an artist in order to fill my retirement years with creativity. I have spent the last 3 years being mentored by a watercolor landscape artist. My dream of being a watercolor artist is finally coming to fruition. I am selling art, getting commissions and teaching art classes.

So, coming back full circle, I have become my beloved elementary school teacher after all.