Paul Petersen’s journey to becoming a glass artist began about 17 years ago. He says following this artistic journey was the product of a Zen, healing spiritual path.
He joined the Navy in 1989 while living in Nevada and was sent to Whidbey. He completed his time in the Navy in 1995 and decided he wanted to continue to live on the island. He comments, “I love it here; I love the moderate temperature and the feeling of peace on Whidbey.”
In his search for inner peace, Paul has worked with meditation and metaphysics, but it was his work with glass that brought him to a state of consciousness that has guided him to where he is today. He says, “Working with glass taught me to understand what I wanted out of life and why I’m here.” He has learned to take life “one breath at a time” and to trust his creativity.
He knew he was destined to be an artist when he was just five years old. He created his first business when he was seven providing custom pictures of people.
After exploring different kinds of art, he began to focus on glassworks. At 37 years of age, he questioned what he was doing and concluded that his life is a part of God’s masterpiece.
He has been focusing his artistic energies on glass art after spending time doing metal works and creating a line of lamps. He says, “Glass came into my life and has led me on a journey to where I am now.”
Paul believes that working with glass to create artistic pieces has enabled him to be aware of the need to have “a vision of what you’re creating.” He notes that the glass used in his process is molten – which is 2,000 degrees – and has the consistency of honey. The molten glass requires understanding the parameters of what is being created. Paul adds that working with glass requires time and energy. He adds, “I have never been intimidated by the heat.” He also says that he does love creating art from the molten glass.
To work with his glass, Paul rents commercial space in the Schack Art Center in Everett, which is a center that supports the arts.
Although there is no question that the work that Paul does requires a lot of skill and awareness as well as artistic sense, he says, “I live for the process.” He often includes a sense of whimsy in some of his pieces, as well as creating items that have beautiful forms and colors.
Paul Petersen is especially pleased that he now has his own gallery space, Soulshine Glassworks, at 8854 SR 525 in Clinton. His gallery is open by appointment. Give him a call if you want to come by and see his work: 360-969-2253.
Note: Paul Petersen’s artistic glass pieces can be seen at the Bayview Farmers Market during the market season, now through October 16.
