Biography

Wayne Peterson - artist

An artist is what I wanted to be ever since I was a child. I recall my grade three teacher walking around the classroom and looking at the children's artwork. When she stopped at my desk, she actually got down on her knees, and exclaimed what a wonderful picture I was creating. Then picking up a light blue crayon she handed it to me and suggested that I make very soft circular motions for the sky telling me the picture was so good I couldn't make a mistake at this point. Talk about pressure! Up until then I thought art was something you did for the pure fun of it. Here was someone who was focused on something else, something that would stand out from the rest, be better, be the best. I think the joy of just creating was somewhat diminished that day. Although I drew and later painted I always felt that I was going to be judged and the expectations were going to be high. I certainly did artwork since then but I think I internalized my teacher's intensity that it had to be just so. Now I'm doing art because I love the process and I love the learning that comes with it, both about the creating and about myself.

I first learned about the thrill of just seeing nature's beauty from my artist/poet mother who would awaken me early in the morning just to see the rising sun, or the first robin of the season with its red breast outlined against the dark trees and white snow. I learned to see things with a sharpened focus, to be more aware of the physical world with all its beauty. And from that appreciation I felt a deep need to connect through the act of creating art.

I admire those who throw themselves into this creative process and create stunning works of beauty or thought provoking pieces without worrying whether or not the making of art is a smart financial move.

Like so many others, I hesitated. I took detours. I went about the business of life: university degrees with studies in religion, literature and psychology; marriage and family; working in government as an advisor to two provincial Premiers and several cabinet ministers; a consulting practice in organizational development; a company start up specialist; CEO of a biotech company and founder of an environmental foundation. Currently I'm Executive Director of the Victoria Hospice Society, an internationally recognized organization that provides superb care to those patients who are near the end of their lives and to their families.

Although there have been very long stretches when I wasn't painting I was always looking at paintings whenever I could. Trips to places like France, Italy, England, Sweden and the USA all had made impressions upon me and provided the impetus to make paintings.

I am pleased that I now have my artwork gracing walls in homes on three continents despite my very limited output to this point. I look forward to continuing this wonderful joy of creating for as long as I can.