“I’m not so interested in selling art as I am in creating it
and awakening artistic potential in others.
I enjoy observing how people unfold from within through art.”
...Shannon Peterson

When Shannon Peterson described her work to me in this way, I knew our paths had crossed for a reason. Art, in particular illustration and watercolor painting, has always intrigued me. I’m in awe of the creative power a person can yield with a pen or a brush.

From my earliest attempts in childhood to the occasional Adult Ed class, I’ve never been able to draw or paint (or even copy) without it looking like a bad caricature. Maybe it was the instruction. Maybe my expectations were too high. Maybe I was too serious. Maybe I just wasn’t an artist!

It’s been years since I have attempted to create anything other than stories. In fact, I cringe when my four-year old daughter asks me to draw anything, be it flowers or fairies. You can guess my surprise when I saw “learn to paint with watercolor” on the most recent version of my Awaken Your Potential Life List — a.k.a. The Bucket List.

A few days later, as if on cue, I parked my car right in front of Watercolor Creations, LLC, located on Main Street in my new hometown of Cromwell, Connecticut.Interesting, I thought to myself. The sign flashed ‘closed;’ a flyer in the window described classes and up-coming events. Flash forward a few months and I am sitting in Shannon Peterson’s studio for a workshop called, “The Properties of Watercolor Paint.”

Every one of the nine women in the workshop tell me that painting with Shannon is “wonderful therapy.” Some of the women are here to brush off stress from work or to cope with a traumatic loss or illness. They all describe her as patient, kind, and committed to the individual student.

“She doesn’t rush you. She’s always in tune with you, your needs and your experience. She never makes teaching about her or her own paintings,” stated Italia Giacco, a former librarian of twenty-one years, “and that’s rare for an artist as amazing as Shannon.” Italia has been painting with Shannon for four years. Her paintings remind me of the work of Thomas Kincaid.

Early Inspiration

Shannon’s quaint art studio is located in the historic section of Cromwell, Connecticut, where she grew-up. As a child, Shannon had a passion for all art. She still has drawings and paintings she created during early school-age years. By age ten, under the tutelage of a friend’s mother, Shannon was taking watercolor classes on a regular basis.

“This woman was a wonderful watercolorist. I went to her house once a week, where she gave me private lessons for a number of years. I remember looking forward to this time so much!”

Even though she’s been painting for twenty-five years, it is remarkable she has never undertaken formal study of the arts or even painting.

“Painting has always been a part of me. I never saw painting as anything other than an expression of who I am. I suppose my learning of the master works happened vicariously, through time spent at museums, reading and taking classes with various instructors throughout the state of Connecticut.” She has taken classes from various instructors including John Ashton, Tom Lynch, and Linda Kemp.

“I really enjoyed Tom Lynch’s instruction. He’s internationally known. His work has been shown across the country. He has a very loose, vibrant style that inspired me to go brighter with my own work.”

Shannon admits to a love of Monet, VanGoh and Renoir. She has the greatest respect for Georgia O’Keefe’s ability to capture light and contrasting shadows against vibrant color and detail, a technique reflected in Shannon’s floral and landscape paintings.

I wondered, how does one so creatively gifted choose to not pursue a career as a professional artist?

A Painter Becomes an Accountant?!

“I made the decision to go to college for business rather than art, and graduated from Bryant College in Rhode Island with a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting in 1998. I went on to get my MBA in business from the University of Massachusetts in 2003.” For ten years, Shannon worked full time as an Accounting Supervisor at Pratt and Whitney.

“I was fortunate to be skilled at math as well as art. It was a safe route—accounting virtually guaranteed I’d be gainfully employed. Studying only art could not provide that. Even though Shannon loved math and numbers—and even enjoyed accounting—the job brought a lot of stress into her life. For several years, she had little time and less energy to do any painting. The voice of regret kept sneaking into her head.

“I missed being able to express my creative side, and felt I would regret not doing something with my talent and my love for art,” she admits.

Regret and frustration about the lack of watercolor instruction available in her local communities, Shannon decided to shift her career back toward painting. In January 2005, I decided I couldn’t deny my love for painting and especially watercolor, any longer. It was like denying a part of my Self.”

A True Talent Can Not be Denied

Flash forward a few months and Shannon opens the doors to Watercolor Creations. How did she manifest her dream?

“I discussed a plan with my spouse. He was supportive. I didn’t completely leave the accounting job. I cut back my hours, gradually. I still work at Pratt part time, putting in twenty-one hours per week.

“I experience so much joy being able to share my passion for watercolors with students. I could not be happier with the decision to follow my dream.”

Step into Watercolor Creations

Now, Shannon spends most of her time teaching classes out of the Cromwell studio. She teaches both adult and children (age seven and up). There are several unique aspects to painting at Shannon’s studio. First, there is no long-term commitment for classes. Students pay weekly, can stop and start as their schedule permits. Shannon believes in working with students according to their skill, needs and interests—including time.

“Most people tend to come weekly anyway, for two hour sessions. A few will come twice a week. When they need to take a break—whatever the reason—students don’t have to worry about make-up classes or refunds.”

At the workshop I attended, I was in the company of ten women with varying levels of experience in art, let alone painting. One woman had never picked up a pen or paintbrush in her life, but after three months of open studio sessions with Shannon, she was creating paintings that I’d be delighted to hang in my own home. Other students have been with Shannon from the day the studio opened.

“A lot of people are surprised with their finished piece. They’re surprised by their own talent,” Shannon said.

“It’s surprising,” commented Fran Ranieri, who has painted with Shannon for just four months, “because of the experience that awakens within you through painting.” Fran described the process of putting paint on the paper that gives her freedom from chronic pain.

“I didn’t know how badly I needed the time I spend painting… or how much it would help me. I am completely unaware of anything else while I am painting.”

Most of the students commented on how painting relaxes them out of their daily strife.

“More than exercise, painting at Watercolor Creations relaxes me after tough days at work. As soon as I am on my way to the studio, I can feel the tension dissolve. Shannon’s teaching style adds to this. You’re able to relax into painting without the pressure of achieving. Shannon allows each painter to discover what she (or he) wants to express in the finished piece.”

More than Just Paint Classes

In addition to the open studio sessions and one-day workshops offered for adults, children and organizations, Shannon travels off-site to senior centers, elementary schools, brownie troops and craft stores.  The studio also hosts birthday parties, girls’ night out, and parent-child programs. Shannon typically offers light refreshments and beverages during classes or special programs.

Students don’t just leave with a painting, saying themselves, “what do I do with it, now?” Shannon provides various options for custom matting and to have their paintings transformed into different types of printed products, such as, T-shirts, Aprons, Calendars, and Greeting Cards.

Shannon does show her paintings throughout the state and is active in the Connecticut Watercolor Society events. Currently her artwork is available at Center Framing & Art in West Hartford, CT. Libraries and historic sites also have shown her work.

Shannon has become very busy with studio and off-site classes. Not wanting to diminish the personal attention she gives to her students, she feels very fortunate to have found a co-instructor, Gina. “They even look alike,” chime a few of the women from the workshop.

“They’re right,” Shannon concurs, “Gina even has the same approach to teaching.”

Balancing Family Life, Dreams and Work in the Real World

When she is not engaged in Watercolor Creations, Shannon spends all of her free time with her two wonderful young children and husband.

“I have two sons, age three and age six. I am very family oriented, so it is very important to me that I am home each day to get my older son off the bus and guide him through any homework. It’s also very important to me that our family have dinner together as many nights a week as possible, and spend as much quality time together as possible.” Quality time often includes playing board games and participating in or watching sports.

Shannon feels blessed, and most grateful, to have had a wonderful support network to help her “manage a crazy schedule and follow [her] dreams.” Her husband, parents and in-laws all pitch-in when needed.

As for me, I’m still feeling my way around with a brush and paint. Pursuing my dream to be a published author and freelance writer while raising my own family doesn’t leave much time for weekly studio sessions. In the workshop that day, Shannon tended to each student much the way you would cultivate a garden. Beyond explaining and demonstrating the steps to create the floral image chosen for that day, she watered our potential with encouragement and fertilized our artist minds with guidance. For me, Shannon awoke my spirit to something that resonated deep within me—and I feel a powerful yearning for it to blossom.

Karen M. Rider, M.A. is a freelance writer specializing in holistic and metaphysical subjects. Her articles, profiles, book reviews and promotional copy appear in local, regional and national publications including Door Opener, Natural Nutmeg, Angels Among Us, Dream Network Journal and The Writer magazine. Karen also writes fiction centered on the awakening of human-spiritual potential. Her first novel is underway. She is co-writing “Eating . . .The Angel Way” with intuitive medium Annie Kelleher due to publish in 2010. Karen lives in Cromwell, CT. Learn more: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call (860) 638-8140  Blog: www.thewritingparent.blogspot.com