Meet Peter Freischlag | Artist – Big Moose Studios

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

Hi Peter, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
Risk has played a significant role in the passionate pursuit of my art. I meet emerging artists at every fine art show I participate in who are hesitant, fearful, or reluctant to take their art to the next level. They are unable to even show me pictures of their work and dismiss their creativity as inferior or unworthy. In the art world, you have to put yourself out there on display and I understand their hesitation, however, the reward is in the journey. My focus has always been on the process and adventure in creating. The outcomes of this endeavor are simply a by-product. Art is about being brave.

As a watercolorist I have pushed the boundaries of the medium in every direction. I have moved into very non-traditional areas and using non-traditional techniques. Then, I have put these adventures, which is a beautiful word for it, in front of the the art world. Here is where the risking and bravery become most apparently ingrained. Participating in the best fine art shows in the country demands that I risk take every time I jury into a show or display my work. My art requires I focus on the process not the outcome. I have to risk, it is inherent in the art itself and allows for me to create.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My watercolor journey started some 30 years ago and I trudged along a traditional path. Although, my use of the craft has always been a bit unique, being self-taught, I was lucky enough to have always allowed the watercolor to be watercolor and move and flow without boundaries. Well that changed about seven years ago with a request from a client who wanted two huge paintings without glass. I thought, “I don’t know how to do that?”

After some painstakingly difficult practice and more practice, that client has her paintings and now my watercolors push the boundaries of the art. They are big, bright and bold and are shown without glass, mattes or frames creating something new and unique in that medium. The process and the work have allowed me to create a new way to show watercolor and a new feel for the viewer, a personal sense without any barriers – you want to touch them. This interaction with the art is a visceral response and allows for a personal and special interaction.

I am extremely excited about my journey and what is next as so many doors have been opened for me as a result of my newest endeavor. I just need to continue to be brave in my creativity.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
This is a fun question. Well we would have to do the things that make Colorado, well, Colorado. A trip to a concert at the world renowned Red Rocks would start things off after dinner at Potager in Denver. A jeep ride to Vail over Shrine Pass to Redcliff and up to Leadville for lunch at the Saloon with a side trip to Melanzana followed by some more four-wheeling through the old mines. Cycling from Frisco to Vail and back followed by dinner in Breckenridge at Rita’s would be on the list as well. A day at the Wild Animal Preserve and dinner in Golden at The Sherpa House would be amazing. Perhaps a whitewater raft trip and a day in Grand Junction and at the Monument would be cool too. Now that would be a good week!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I initially painted my first piece after being “dared” to by my wife and soulmate, Deb. Since then, some 30 years ago, she has been my biggest supporter, sounding board and critic in all aspects of my career. There really isn’t a move that we make as Big Moose Studios that she isn’t inherently in the middle of. Deb also runs all the social media, the scheduling and the business behind the scenes for me. Deb has truly made my journey possible.

Website: https://www.bigmoosestudios.net

Instagram: peterfreischlag

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/peter.freischlag