Art & Life with Cynthia Peterson

Today we’d like to introduce you to Cynthia Peterson.

Cynthia, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
I have been drawing ever since I can remember. My mother said I always wanted to draw so they always had a pencil and paper for me to use. My father was a wildlife/nature photographer and our lives revolved around his work, taking us on many trips. When I was in college, I was so happy to finally have a real art class – I felt I had found my home. When I started to learn painting, that was all I wanted to do. When I went to Arizona State University for my Master of Fine Arts degree, I took a watercolor class out of curiosity… and it changed my life. Ever since then, I have been painting and teaching watercolor. Even though I work in other painting/drawing mediums, the majority of my work has been in watercolor.

Can you give our readers some background on your art?
My work has largely been still life, although I paint all kinds of subject matter. I especially have been pulled to glass as still life subject. The reflections and refractions within the glass surface are very compelling. My interest is not in the object but the play of light and color, so I would say my paintings are really about the exploration of light and color, making the object or subject a means to an end. This way it becomes an abstraction of the object. I see things that most people never notice and paint them on a large scale.

Artists rarely, if ever pursue art for the money. Nonetheless, we all have bills and responsibilities and many aspiring artists are discouraged from pursuing art due to financial reasons. Any advice or thoughts you’d like to share with prospective artists?
I will not deny or sugar-coat the financial aspect of it – it is difficult.
It takes time and money to make art and sometimes takes a long while to reap financial rewards. Making a living from art is not easy – you must be dedicated, focused and very determined…

However, bringing a creative vision to fulfillment is rewarding and enriches life in intangible ways that benefit both artist and the world around them.

What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
My work portfolio is shown on my website: cynthiapetersonfineart.com

I am also on Instagram: cpeterson_artist
and Facebook page: Cynthia Peterson, Artist where I post about my art and teaching, and art-related topics.

People can email me or leave a message on any of these places.

Contact Info:

• Website: www,cynthiapetersonfineart.com
• Email: cynthia@cynthiapetersonfineart.com
• Instagram: cpeterson_artist
• Facebook: Cynthia Peterson, Artist

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