Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ex Peterson. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

EX, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

When I was wee, 3 or 4 years of age, I was fascinated by how my mother could take some flat fabric and make it into clothing, and I wanted to do it, too. She gave me a needle and thread, scraps of fabric, buttons, and a pair of scissors and sent me on my way. This led to my making vests for all my stuffed animals. They were rudimentary, a strip of fabric with two holes cut out for the arms, the button sewed on and a slit cut for the button to go through. My own design. Clothes needed to be taken on and off after all. I occupied my time with drawing and sewing, and being instilled with the directive that everyone needed a skill to be monetized, something to pay for food and housing, I pursued the dream of becoming a fashion designer, an artist.

EX, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I pursued my dream of being a fashion designer throughout my childhood, taking as many art classes as my scholastic schedule would allow. I got an art scholarship and enrolled in a fashion design program in Toronto. While at university, I found that I loved the art of drawing, designing and constructing fashion items, but the actual fashion industry wasn’t where I wanted to be. For me, it was truly a wasteful “rag trade” and I wanted out of the fashion industry and to concentrate on the art of it. My friend was studying at the OCADU art school and suggested I transfer to their school. It was the best decision I ever made as it started me on the path to finding out just what kind of art I wished to make. I took every type of class. I wanted to learn it all. Printmaking was the passion that stayed. The passion I could do at my kitchen table, so I opened my eX Press Art business. There are several steps to produce an original linocut block print, and I enjoy them all. From the initial pencil sketch, to drawing on the block, carving out the image, hand inking and test prints, to the final printed on handmade paper. The process is satisfying start to finish! I often add a touch of colour, either in a separate layer block or by hand painting, depending on the amount of colour desired. I attempt to make every step environmentally responsible, using water-based ink and reduce paper waste. All my images are that of animals. Having grown up on Vancouver Island, I was surrounded by and adored the wildlife around me. I try to capture the individuality of each animal I portray, printing with black ink for graphic contrast.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Experimenting with different mediums, I also make miniature dioramas using handmade paper, recycled materials, and found objects, framed in handmade shadow boxes. I launched my miniature art, eX Petite Art, commercially with a big show, website and social media. I made a commitment to do this big show over a period of three years, getting my art out to different audiences and trying to establish a market for it. The challenges on my physical and mental wellbeing while navigating weeklong intensive art shows took its toll on my body and on my financial situation. Lessons learned about myself, and my art market, had me turning to concentrate on my printmaking, an art practice I continued during my eX Petite Art launch. I have been making things for as long as I can remember, and been a printmaker for over 30 years and I love it more than when I started, and I think that translates into my art. The practice allows me to figure out what works for me and what doesn’t. Not everything I start gets completed as mistakes are made that don’t work for me. Some mistakes get incorporated into the final piece; some I must start again from the beginning of the process. Continuing to make art, continuing to share and sell art, enables me to continue to make art, my passion that makes my world a better place and I want to share that joy.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

The wonderful aspect of being an artist is that I can tell a story visually and regardless of the story I put to it, it is all subjective and open to interpretation. This gives way to conversations about the art. The image I create of an animal, although captured in that moment, always has a before and after. The animal has actions before and after. Each animal will mean something different to the person that views them. Most of my animal portraits have the animal looking to make eye contact with the viewer. As you see them, they appear to see you. As in all my art, I try to make a connection with the people viewing them and share in my love of animals and the art medium. I encourage everyone to experiment with artistic expression and spend most of my conversations at art shows explaining how I make my art. I find education is key to understanding and appreciating art.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ex-pressart.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expetersonart
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/exavierpetersonart

Image Credits

Ian Clarke
eXavier Peterson