Joel Peterson, an emerging artist and recent graduate from Western Washington University, uses his art as a means of self-reflection and healing. His work is deeply intertwined with his personal experiences, often symbolizing emotions and moments from his life. We are honoured to have Joel featured in our exhibition ‘Art Heals.’ We spoke with him about his journey, creative process, and the themes that drive his work.
From Montesano to Bellingham: A Journey of Self-Discovery
“I come from a small town called Montesano in Washington State, USA, and now live in Bellingham,” Joel begins. Art has been a constant presence in his life, starting from a young age when he would draw at the kitchen table while his mom read to him.
“As I moved into high school and college, I became more serious about my practice, taking private lessons and art studio courses.”
This dedication to art springboarded him into a form of therapeutic creation, where he began to see the intrinsic benefits of self-expression. “As a queer, lower limb amputee, I have used my art practice to explore identity, resentment, and grief, as well as the joys of living as a queer disabled adult.”
Exploring Identity and Connection
Joel’s work is constantly evolving as he grows and learns more about himself in relation to the world around him.
“For the past few years, I have used themes of human connection, codependence, and attachment theory to propel my personal development and drive my work,” he explains.
More recently, his art has become a symbol of identity, capturing who he is in any given moment and serving as a bridge between himself and the viewer. “I seek to find understanding and acceptance through my work.”
A Sporadic Creative Process
Joel’s creative process is as fluid as his identity. “My process is rather sporadic,” he admits. Having recently graduated, he finds that much of his time is spent on idea development. “The first step for me in most of my art making is writing—creative journaling has been the easiest and quickest way for me to attach imagery to sentiments.” These ideas then feed into his larger oil paintings, though he finds equal value in creating smaller works that capture his ever-changing identity.
Mediums and Techniques
For smaller pieces, Joel enjoys using whatever materials are on hand, with pens and acrylic ink being his recent favorites.
“I choose to let go of my idea of what color means, often producing surrealistic representations of the land and the people I hold dear,” he shares.
In his home studio, oil paint is a staple. “I start by just getting something on the canvas, often a layer of thinned, bright color, then loosely block in shapes and shadows,” he explains. His process involves layering oil paint to create depth, eventually leading to the final phase of detail and correction.
Evolving Artistic Practice
Joel’s artistic journey has seen several shifts, from technique-based image creation to more emotionally driven work.
“In high school, I focused on traditional charcoal drawings and still life, but in college, I began to see the value and healing in art making,” he says.
His practice has evolved to embrace surrealistic paintings that reflect personal, sometimes anxiety-inducing scenes. Now, as he transitions from art student to professional artist, Joel finds himself focusing more on the joy of the mundane. “I see queer joy as liberating, and much of my recent smaller works have centered around this sentiment.”
A Personal Piece: “Intimacy”
One of Joel’s most meaningful works is “Intimacy,” a painting that represents a moment of tender affection and connection often overlooked.
“Moments of laying with a loved one, cuddling and watching TV, have always felt important to me,” he explains.
This painting honors those moments and the people who have shared them with him.
Influences: Art as Therapy
One of Joel’s primary influences is the artist Louise Bourgeois. “She approached her practice from a place of humility, understanding that she was reaping the therapeutic benefits of the creative process,” Joel says. This model of art as therapy has profoundly influenced his approach, helping him realize that his relationship to art is uniquely his own and can be designed around his personal needs.
Overcoming Challenges
As an artist, Joel has faced numerous challenges, particularly in finding time for his practice while living in an expensive area and managing his disability. “I’ve worked six days a week to support myself, and often find myself feeling too low on energy or in too much pain to dedicate time to making art,” he shares. However, these challenges have taught him the importance of adaptation and pain management.
“I’ve had to learn how to give myself grace and accept that my best is good enough sometimes.”
Connecting with Viewers
Joel’s main goal for every piece of art is for the viewer to feel connected to it in some way.
“I want people to have encounters with identity and be confronted by their biases when viewing my artwork,” he says.
His work serves as a middleman between himself and the viewer, inviting them to listen and reflect on what the piece says about their own lived experience.
Cultural and Personal Influence
Growing up in the small town of Montesano, Joel experienced the challenges of being queer and disabled in a rural area. “
I became very familiar with being misunderstood and wasn’t provided with the freedom to self-identify,” he explains.
This confusion about identity led to feelings of social inadequacy, which he couldn’t fully understand until he moved away. “This ultimately led to me using art as a tool for self-discovery,” he adds, emphasizing how art has helped him unravel the enigma of the self and seek understanding from those around him.
A Practice of Healing and Self-Discovery
Joel Peterson’s art is a deeply personal exploration of identity, healing, and connection. His journey from a technique-based focus to a more introspective and emotionally driven practice reflects his growth as an artist and individual. Through his work, Joel invites viewers to engage with the complexities of identity and self-discovery, offering a window into his world while encouraging reflection on their own experiences. As Joel continues to navigate his artistic path, we look forward to seeing how his practice will evolve and inspire those who encounter it.
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