Today we’d like to introduce you to Barbara Waterman-peters

Hi Barbara, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.

Art has always been part of me. All through elementary, middle, high school, and college I took every opportunity to study and participate in the visual arts. Creating and showing my work was a strong focus, but I also taught, eventually as an adjunct at the college level. In addition, I helped form arts organizations and an artists’ cooperative. Later I pursued a graduate degree and continued teaching at the university level. Life presented me with other opportunities to serve on arts organization boards, to jury and curate shows, and to initiate community and public arts projects. I was deeply involved in the development of a city arts & entertainment district.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?

No, like all of life, there are bumps in the road. The overarching struggle is to continually work very hard to do good, interesting, and relevant work and to maintain a high standard of craftsmanship, integrity, and dependability. But there are other struggles: life changes, finances, space and time to work. Coping with the demands of things outside of one’s work and learning to maintain a balance among those is difficult and requires self-discipline and sometimes a sense of humor.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?

I am a painter. I work primarily in oil on canvas. My major work is figurative; in fact, that is what led to my being commissioned to paint the canvases for an altarpiece in a catholic church which is probably the project of which I am most proud. However, that is only one facet of my creative endeavors. I also paint landscapes, florals, and portraits. Another favorite medium is watercolor which I use to illustrate children’s books, a number of which have been published and have received awards. Drawing, printmaking, and creating handmade books also form part of my oeuvre. I am a published writer: poetry, creative non-fiction, and articles about art and artists. And my art has been on the covers of numerous publications.
Perhaps that is what sets me apart: I am willing to try new things and to be open to opportunities. If I had said “no” when invited to create the playbill art for a theater production, I would have missed out on a 16-year relationship with that theater which enriched my own art!

Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?

Many people have approached me with ideas and projects. The outcomes have resulted in wonderful friendships and life-changing experiences. I have rarely said “no.” Only when I absolutely know the project is outside my wheelhouse or impossible due to time constraints, do I refuse. However, if I know another artist who would be perfect for the project, I often put people together.
Collaboration is wonderful! I have been invited to serve on panels which address that process. The collaboration of artists with authors on children’s books is a prime example. I have a waiting list of authors eager to work with me, so I am not looking for more at this point.
At the moment, purchasing my paintings would be the best form of support.

Pricing:

• My paintings are priced from $500-$5000

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.barbarawatermanpeters.net
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/barbara.watermanpeters

Image Credits

Bill Stephens (photo of me)

Barbara Waterman-Peters