Bev Petersen, artist is a Comox Valley artist who has spent much of her life involved with art, but only recently accepted the mantle of “Artist”.
Art is my therapy. As a child growing up in the forties and fifties, a time when children were to be seen and not heard art was a way to express what I could not verbalize. It was a way to escape the family dysfunction and chaos. Although art was not the occupation I chose it remained a necessary constant in my life. The most difficult aspect was accepting myself as an artist, which I really did not do until a few years ago and after struggling with anxiety two years ago I am finally able to understand the healing power of Art.
| What is your area of practice or discipline? | Although, I have various responsibilities and interests and a small area in which to create, it is as necessary as fresh air and water that I nurture my soul creating art. ?I always have a work in progress, that permeates my being . ?There are the days that I immerse myself deeply. ?Time stands still. ?Hours pass until I am able to come back to the world around me and ground myself in reality, gardening, socializing, exercise, nature until the canvas beckons and I must listen. ?The trick is to not lose sight of the delicate balance between both worlds. |
| Who Are you? What do you do? | I work in acrylics on canvas using brushes and experimenting with almost anything to achieve the result that inspired me to interpret and communicate what grabbed me. |
| How did you get there? | The magic of creation was therapy for a shy little girl, ?but it would take a long and circuitous route to embrace and liberate the artist within. Many layers had to be peeled away before I could accept and love that little girl in order to create authentically, joyfully and fearlessly. |
| What was your transformational experience? | Diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder two years ago culminating in 24? x 36? acrylic ?The Fog has Lifted? |
| What is your biggest success? | That I can appreciate and embrace the richness, colour, texture, patterns and connectivity that has brought me to now. ?After a chaotic upbringing that is the goodness, I have found hiding in the shadows. |
| If you could go back and do something differently, what would that be? | I wouldn’t change a thing. ?It has all been necessary to guide me to now and I love the power of now! |
| ?What are you working on now? | 18? x 24? acrylic/wrapped canvas ??Belonging? (a female figure sitting on a bank overlooking a windy wavy ocean, distant misty shores very much connected to nature) |
| Who are your influences? Or who would you like to give a shoutout to? | I’m inspired by the many wonderful artists in our community. ?Georgia O’Keefe,?Bev?Doolittle are a couple of my favorites. |
