We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Barbara Waterman-Peters a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Barbara, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

As far back as I can remember, I have thought of myself as an artist. Wanting to pursue it professionally was a goal while still in high school, but at that time I envisioned “commercial art” as my career. While majoring in art in college, I had the opportunity to work for an advertising firm. I acquired firsthand knowledge of what commercial art (now called graphic design) was all about. I picked up valuable skills, long before computers were available, and I am grateful for those skills to this day; however, I realized early on that I was on the wrong path.

Barbara, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Encapsulating a 60+ year career as an artist, a writer, and an arts advocate is a challenge. I pursued my education, earning a BFA (Washburn University) and an MFA (Kansas State University) in painting. Both institutions gave me wonderful foundations in my art and the opportunities to teach art as both GTA and adjunct which I enjoyed immensely. I discovered early on that more is involved in “being an artist” than credentials and talent. Hard work, self-discipline, and saying “yes” to new opportunities and challenges are vital.
Artists and other creatives who go it alone have to start somewhere. After I received my undergraduate degree, I began showing my work anywhere I could. I gave private lessons, I joined or formed art organizations, I took commissions, I entered juried shows, and all the while continued to create my art and hone my skills. Gradually, some recognition began to accrue. I eventually went to graduate school for additional studies. I was asked to create images for the upcoming university theater department season. That led to a 16- year relationship with that theater! I was invited to be part of a project to re-think our city. That led to the establishment of an arts & entertainment district and my having a studio there with other artists since 2010.
An artist should be able to speak and write about her own work, as well as that of others. I was part of an artists’ coop from 1987-2014 (The Collective Art Gallery) and during that time I wrote and published The Paper which featured various artists and events. This brought me to the attention of a magazine editor, and I began to write feature stories about regional artists. This published writing led to my having creative writing also published. Speaking engagements followed as well.
Although primarily a painter, I have been privileged to have many creative outlets. Being open to new projects and challenges has opened numerous doors for me. Keeping my art fresh, relevant, and well-crafted has been extremely important, too. Probably the highpoint of my career has been the completion of an altarpiece for a church.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

Creative individuals are unique. We are driven to make art and we are difficult to categorize. We are vulnerable and yet determined. Our talents can be both a blessing and a curse, and they can be accepted or rejected. That “drive,” that compulsion to make art is hard, demanding work, long hours, and self-doubt.

Non-creatives find it difficult to imagine this kind of existence, while at the same time being in awe of us and of our creations. They do not understand that interrupting us or expecting us to be available at any time is a violation. Monet said that to interrupt his painting is to “cut off his legs.” I personally have experienced illness when not able to do my work.
One of my pet peeves is having a well-meaning person tell me that I need a break!

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

Buy art, buy tickets, buy books, encourage the appreciation and study of the ARTs as an integral part of our culture and wellbeing, starting with the ARTs being enjoyed, required and funded in the schools!! STEAM, not STEM.

Contact Info:

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

Image Credits
Artist photo credit: Amy Miller Photography Artist in front of “Serenity” sculpture photo credit: Larry Peters All other images photo credit: Barbara Waterman-Peters