Meet Paula Peacock | Artist and Art Instructor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Paula Peacock and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Paula, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I wouldn’t say it was an epiphany-like thought process but a 10-year process of being guided by the universe of chance meetings with people leading me from one step to the next. After gaining knowledge and confidence in my art, people began asking me to teach them how to oil paint which, in hindsight, I believe was the universe planting seeds. But, it took a while before I caught on. One day I received a call from someone who had a group of friends wanting to learn. Would I do it? I agreed. That call led from one thing to another. Today, 16 years later, I teach oil painting to groups and give private lessons to individuals. I still have the original phone caller as a devoted student, coming to painting classes twice a week.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am not your average still-life oil painter. I like to add a twist or something quirky to the mix. I’ve been through lots of ups and downs in my life and at least 50% of my paintings tell a story about those ups and downs. You could say I paint my life.
I am most proud of a solo exhibit I had a couple of years ago. The theme was the art of grief. The exhibit reflected the process of my grief after losing my son. I wasn’t expecting the response the exhibit received. I was a bit surprised when people started thanking me. The exhibit had helped them process their own grief that they had been holding back, some for years—a few left in tears.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would take friends to the Denver Art Museum and galleries in the Golden Triangle and Santa Fe district. We would eat breakfast at the Morning Glory in Louisville and dinner at the Pumphouse in Longmont. In between we would hike some of the beautiful hiking trails we have in our state and drive through some of our amazing canyons. No trip would be complete without visiting Estes Park and the Stanley Hotel.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Jill London has been my cheerleader since the day she called about art classes 16 years ago. She has always been in my corner. Also, my little sister Sherry who inspired me to find my way to where I am now.

Website: paulapeacock.com

Image Credits
Ken Sanville Maureen Ruddy Burkhart