Senior Shannon Petersen knew he was an artist from a young age. Now, he prepares to embark on a journey of sharing art with future generations as a teacher—while still creating his own, of course.
What does it mean to be an artist?
I think that to be an artist is to be an individual that will create beautiful and meaningful works that express an idea or feeling which they feel compelled to express. Sometimes profound, other times not. But, the thing about artists is that they are always creating—no matter the medium.
When did you realize that you were one of these people? An artist?
I realized I liked art from a very young age. I have drawings from preschool and kindergarten still saved away at my parents’ house. You could say that I have always considered myself an artist, but, when I decided to major in art at school here, that was definitely a big step.
What was the first piece of art you remember making?
The first piece I remember making was a piece in kindergarten titled “All about Shannon.” It was a drawing of my friends, family, house, and interests. It’s cool to see how all of them have changed since I drew that almost 17 years ago.
What challenges did you face when you chose to pursue art?
Well, the challenges I faced with pursuing art were mostly along the lines of having no idea what I was going to do with an art degree; and, while I played football, getting classes that fit into my schedule for both school and practice.
What is your favorite medium?
My favorite medium is, hands down, pencil and paper. I love graphic design and sculpture too, but graphic design is more of a “fast food” kind of art—at least in the way that I do it. I don’t have to worry as much about “drawing in” or “creating” the background when I am focusing on the figure in the foreground. I go through little phases when I will like a different medium more or whatnot, but it is currently drawing and always will be.
Which art class has been your favorite here?
I would say that there are three that really made the mediums click in my mind. At the top of the list is Portraiture with Professor Suarez. He’s my advisor and has been a great mentor in art and in day-to-day life. Even though he comes off as intimidating at first, he’s really great. Next would have to be Graphic Design II. This is where I really figured out how to use the medium to make all the nerdy, geeky Star Wars and Halo posters that I could. That semester you couldn’t find me anywhere other than the graphic design lab. Lastly, I really liked Design I. I hated the class at first, but as it went on I learned so many things about art theory and practice. It has been one of the most influential classes I have taken.
Who is your favorite artist?
My favorite artist is Titian. Love his paintings. Go renaissance.
Where do you draw creative inspiration?
I draw creative inspiration from the things that I love: faith, friends, movies, childhood sentimentality—in fact, I am going through and recreating works that I made when I was a kid. I really like making posters with photoshop, so I watch other artists make them on YouTube and that has been a really good way to grow in understanding of the medium. It even reinforces some of the artistic elements that I had forgotten from Design I.
What subjects are you most interested in depicting?
The subjects I tend to depict depend on the medium and the motive for making them. I love drawing things for people as a token of our relationship; it’s something that I can do—without having to go buy presents—that says I appreciate you or something like that; Art’s value lasts longer than a card does, I think. So there is that for drawing. For graphic design, think pretty shallow in terms of meaning. I just love the action hero. I love the cool alien, the mythological creature. I tend to go for as epic or awesome as I can. If my 15-year-old brother likes them, I am doing a good job.
What are your post-graduate plans?
Post-graduate plans are to teach Art and P.E. at a classical school in Arizona. I will also be coaching football and wrestling. So, pretty much the perfect job for me. I get to do all the things I have really enjoyed over the past eight years of my life, just in a different way now.
What’s something people should know about art or artists?
Something people should know about art is that they should buy it. But, I wouldn’t say to go out and buy a poster—even if it is a poster of a famous painting. It is important to have real art in the house even if it is not “professional” because it is stimulating. It is stimulating in such a different way than the stimulation we are getting from our phones and televisions. Art is an important and healthy thing for the human soul, just like the books we read in our literature classes.
How has Hillsdale College’s art department shaped you?
The art department has shaped me by humbling me. The issue with any student—but particularly art students—is that we come in thinking we know it all. I “knew” how to draw. I had made good pieces before. But, I really was not that good. I still have so much room to grow. They showed me that my skills can be honed and that there is always someone better than you at whatever you are doing. That doesn’t mean what you are doing has any less value, it just means you must work harder in that field. It really is like Plato’s allegory of the cave: you only start to realize how much you don’t know until you start to learn that you don’t know.
