We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jesse Petersen a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Jesse, appreciate you joining us today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

When I was a teenager, I told people I wanted to be an artist. That felt risky in itself, because I didn’t know any successful artists, only my recreation center teacher and a group of retired women in my weekly watercolor class. They encouraged me, but when it came time for college I chose the safer route of graphic design.

I built a solid career in design and art direction, but I always kept a personal practice of painting and journaling. The turning point—the real risk—was saying yes to teaching with an art journaling subscription box. The first time I filmed a lesson, my knees were shaking under the table. It was vulnerable to share my messy process instead of polished design work.

That leap paid off. Especially during the pandemic, people connected deeply with the idea of making art just for themselves, not for galleries or clients. It built a community, and I discovered how much I loved teaching others to find that freedom.

From there, I branched out and developed my own path, focusing on teaching and community. Each step, though scary—has moved me closer to what I really wanted all along: a career that’s both creative and meaningful.

Every risk I’ve taken has brought me closer to this: building spaces where people can connect, create, and find the same joy I found all those years ago in my rec center class.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’m Jesse Petersen, a mixed media artist and teacher. My love of art goes back to childhood—long afternoons spent sketching flowers and little snippets of life around me. Even then, it wasn’t just about making something pretty, but about noticing details, telling stories, and finding joy in the process.

Today, I carry that same spirit into my work. Through my online school, The Art Lab, and in-person workshops, I teach mixed media art journaling and bookmaking. I also create collage papers and creative kits that give people tools and prompts to explore their own creativity.

What sets me apart is that I focus on process over perfection. I know how intimidating a blank page can feel, so I design projects that encourage play and self-expression. I’m most proud of the communities that have formed around my work—students trading art mail, gathering to paint, or picking up a brush for the first time in decades. At the heart of it, I want people to know that art doesn’t need to be polished to be powerful—you don’t need permission to create, just a place to start.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

Honestly, the book that’s shaped me the most is The Artist’s Way. It taught me that if I just keep showing up for my art—and take care of that inner artist voice—I’ll build the confidence I need to share my work. That idea of consistency has carried me all the way into making art my full-time career.

A few others I’ve loved: Big Magic reminded me to choose curiosity over fear, Art & Fear helped me see that resistance is just part of the process, and Austin Kleon’s Show Your Work! really pushed me to share the messy middle, not just the finished piece. On the business side, I also really resonated with Company of One—it made me realize I didn’t have to grow bigger and bigger to be successful, I could build something sustainable and true to my own pace.

All of these together really shaped the way I see my work—not just as making art, but as building a community and a business that feels human, creative, and doable.

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?

I think one of the hardest things for non-creatives to understand is that most of the work happens in the in-between. From the outside, it can look like artists just sit down, make something beautiful, and share it. But in reality, my studio is usually piles of paper, scraps of collage, jars of brushes, and half-finished pages. I’m constantly rummaging through the chaos, wrestling with an idea, and waiting for that spark that ties it all together.

And honestly, I don’t often have the luxury of long, uninterrupted blocks of time. My art lives in the cracks—between running the business and running to a kid’s soccer game. That “unfinished” stage isn’t just part of the process—it is the process. It’s messy, uncomfortable, and chaotic, but it’s also where I grow, stretch, and surprise myself with what’s possible.

Over time I’ve learned that creativity isn’t about the perfect end product—it’s about showing up, even when conditions aren’t ideal, and finding beauty in progress. And I think that’s true for life, too: most of it is half-baked, in motion, never quite polished. But when I slow down, I see it for what it is—piles and scraps that, taken together, tell a story.

The art, and the life, are both beautiful not because they’re finished, but because we get to witness their unfolding.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.jessepetersenart.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessepetersenart/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jessepetersenart
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jessepetersenart
• Other: Art Club with Jesse Petersen – Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/artclubwithjessepetersen

Image Credits

Most of these photos were taken at a workshop in Alaska last year, by me. The tiny cards are images of artist trading cards I made to swap with artists there, the open journal with the paper cut crow mandala is from my journal created at the workshop, the other photo of several art journals open are of student work in the workshop. The image of the crow is art created by me called “Talking Loud” in inspired by that trip. The larger artist card is one I made to remind me of my why – Creating for Joy- that I did as an online course called Affirmations for the Inner Artist.