“The moment you doubt whether you can fly, you cease forever to be able to do it.” J.M. Barrie's Peter Pan encapsulates the essence of artist Peter Freischlag’s career. Born the youngest of three children in the Chicago, Illinois, area, Peter often found solace in solitude, creating imaginary works and adventures of his own design. His being was preparing to soar into a professional future in watercolor, a future that was never hindered by doubt.
Flying through childhood to his advanced education, Peter took an expansive and diverse path. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary and Special Education, a Master of Science in Behavior Disorders and Learning Disabilities from Northern Illinois University, a second Master of Science in Leadership, and a PhD in Philosophy from Loyola University of Chicago.
However, the one constant was Peter’s persistent focus on his artistic pursuits, the launch pad to his professional future. Peter’s early career pursuits involved multiple venues, including teaching and athletics, with the common flight path of further developing his ability to attract unique experiences, envisioning the possibilities within these experiences, and executing various creative solutions and creative ideas. All of this leads to the gradual unfolding of his goal as a professional artist. Peter’s life experience came to critical mass in 1986 when Peter and his wife Deb encountered a painting they both admired but they could not afford.
Deb challenged Peter to paint something similar for their home. Peter's imagination and years of experimentation in the medium of watercolor took flight; the result was a resounding success. Today, that piece hangs in his Arizona Studio. As a result, Deb became Peter's copilot for his journey into the world as a professional artist. She critiques, reviews, and manages every step of the flight path, ensuring smooth landings toward each unique and far-reaching goal.
Today, Peter works from two studios, one in Gilbert, Arizona and the other in Golden, Colorado. A precise approach with a whimsical outcome characterizes his painting style. Peter's ground game starts with subjects he finds fun to paint and hold the potential for surprisingly eye-catching outcomes. The creative process involves considering size, color use, typically seven hues, and movement execution in the design. Peter doesn’t skimp on materials; he uses watercolor paper produced in France and the finest natural fiber brushes from Russia to achieve the ultimate outcome. He describes his process as, “The work takes shape in a single wash, mounted on a wooden panel, and sealed with a beeswax resin.” Peter continues, "My ability to create large-scale watercolors without glass pushes the boundaries and offers a new perspective in the field." Ultimately, he can achieve any size composition, holding the record for two of the largest watercolors mounted on walls in two private collections.
Peter adds, "I am actively involved in partnering with philanthropic organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, the American Breast Cancer Society, the American Heart Association, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Wake Forest Hospital, and Crescent Cove, to name a few. Currently, I partner with the Colorado Wild Animal Sanctuary.” Peter’s work is represented by The Sundry in Moab, Utah, The Zandee in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, and Anticus in Old Town Scottsdale. He also participates in the Arizona Fine Art Expo in Scottsdale, Arizona January through March each year. Peter's work has earned him various awards and recognitions, as well as a place in the permanent collections of Johns Hopkins University and Wake Forest University, and numerous private collections, restaurants, businesses, and corporate offices. Peter never doubted he could fly by creating more connections, participating in joint ventures with other creatives, and continuing to believe in the magic of possibility over the next horizon.
Email: pfreischlag@comcast.com
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