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The
Drummer
By KAREN LAVEN
John
Petermeier can make a pencil dance. This common stylus, when
held in Petermeier's clasp, does not merely fill in forms,
memo's or lists; but expertly waltz's across the page, painstakingly
filling in lines of compassion on a saint's face, or capturing
the subtle shading of a landscapes personality.
Petermeier draws wildlife creatures, domestic critters, portraits,
landscapes, castles--you name it--if it causes Petermeier
to do a double take, it will likely end up on canvas. He draws
what he is inspired to--not a particular specialty. "I
don't want to limit myself," he said.
Not one to impose artistic restrictions, Petermeier has experimented
with many mediums, but gravitates towards utilizing pencil,
colored pencil, design marker and computer sketching.
It is the pencil that he finds the most challenging and most
rewarding. The often-minute lines are fashioned one at a time,
and manipulating the shading to exacting tones is pivotal,
as well. There is much intricacy and time involved when creating
art using the slender lead apparatus.
Although
he was born in Minneapolis, Petermeier spent the most memorable
portion of his childhood in Watertown and is now once again
living in the beloved town where he grew up. "I like
the stability of living in a small town," he said. "I
like the small town atmosphere."
Throughout
his childhood, he was drawing and expressing himself in various
mediums. 'There was never any doubt I'd go into art,"
he said. "Growing up, I was a pretty quiet kid,"
he said, adding that he would often sketch in this solitude.
After
graduating from Watertown High, he enrolled in Mankato State
University where he "took two years of art in one year,"
said Petermeier. It proved a bit much. "I think I OD'ed
on it!" he exclaimed.
Actually,
the commercial art classes were so exacting said Petermeier
that it was more like being back in math class than art. Definitely,
it did not fit with his artistic palette.
Petermeier
then swiveled career directions by attending Brown Institute
where he trained for radio and television broadcasting. He
immediately discovered that he was as comfortable in front
of a microphone as he was in front of a blank canvas. "It
was a different way of expressing myself," he said.
The
surprisingly soft-spoken man off-air, began his on-air radio
career announcing at a Country Western station along the Iowa/Missouri
border. Petermeier subsequently moved to a different station
in Iowa, and it was there that he took the radio call name
of J.P. Meier. Following this, as is often the case with radio
personalities, Petermeier moved several times to several Midwest
radio stations.
The
DJ is now happily rooted at Hit-106 KARP in Hutchinson. He
is admittedly in his element at the microphone mingling his
lively banter with country tunes, Thursday's and Friday's
from 2 to 7 p.m. and Saturday mornings from 5:30 am to noon.
He job-shares the position with Sandy Buetler.
In
addition, he writes and produces commercials for the station.
"I love radio and being on the air," said Petermeier.
"It's an instant kick." As he advanced in his radio
career, however, his artistic career was put on the back burner.
His
drawings emerged only periodically and mostly to entertain
family and friends in the form of cartoons. Also, he created
some artwork for Wells Fargo and Traveler's Express, but it
was sporadic. Even though art was always a part of his life,
Petermeier commented, "I never put a whole lot of value
into it."
Thankfully,
said Petermeier, John Mons, Operations Manager at KARP always
did...and still does! Mons has always been a highly vocal
supporter of Petermeier, both artistically and at the station,
and had been pestering him for years to devote more energy
to his art.
Together,
Mons and Petermeier have set up a website entitled, Prairie
Wind Art. It features Petermeier's work in an online gallery;
allowing the public to view his creations and contact him
if they are interested in purchasing it.
The
website is still in its early stages and will likely evolve
much in the coming months, said Petermeier. No doubt, Petermeier
is extremely busy nowadays, periodically taking on commissioned
work in addition to his own projects. "I've drawn more
in the last two years than in the all the years since college
put together," he said.
Amazingly
enough, Petermeier also finds the time to hold down a part-time
position with Traveler's Express--performing customer service
duties from his home office.
It
comes as no surprise to learn that Petermeier has to make
a conscientious effort to find time to create his art. It
is usually in the evenings and only if he has the energy left,
he said. Yet the artist shared that he has enjoyed watching
the quality of his work improve this last 24 months, and added
that he is his own worst critic.
Petermeier
commented that talent is ensconced within his family. "Everyone
is artistic in one way or another," he said. His mother
was very creative and an avid supporter of her son's work.
Sadly, she passed away several years ago due to cancer.
Petermeier
spent much of that time following her terminal diagnosis with
his mother. "I wanted to be near her," he said.
Admittedly, the trials and joys one face in life often affect
their work, and Petermeier is no exception. He recalls that
he began drawing more seriously again while sitting by her
side.
An
admittedly religious man, Petermeier also credits his audience
with Pope John Paul II at the Vatican for helping nudge him
back to his artistic roots. "The Pope has been a champion
of the arts," said Petermeier, adding that the Pontiff
once said, "'The Church needs artist's and artist's need
the Church.'"
This
blessed opportunity, coupled with the aforementioned pronouncement,
propelled Petermeier to concentrate on his art more than ever.
Since that meeting several years ago, he has drawn several
pictures of the Pope and a marvelous depiction of Mother Theresa,
which is very well-received by the public. His most popular
drawing, however, is his depiction of a wolf. One look into
those striking eyes and it's easy to see why.
Petermeier
is also an avid photographer and is considering perhaps showing
and/or selling some of his photographs in the future. Often,
he will be inspired while passing a farmstead or a landscape
and will stop to claim the moment with snap of his 35mm camera.
He then bases many of his drawings upon these photos.
Whether
speaking about radio announcing or drawing, it's obvious he
enjoys doing both. This double-career combination suits him
well. Petermeier gets the camaraderie and quick gratification
only radio can provide, and also achieves an artistic legacy
with his drawings. "My art will live on long after I'm
gone," he said.
Whatever
his future holds, Petermeier commented that he accepts that
what takes place is often out of his hands. "I leave
that up to God," he said. "I really do."
John
Petermeier's work can be viewed at www.prairiewindart.com.
He can also be reached via e-mail on the web site. |
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