Lawton’s Robert Peterson remains passionate about his art

Robert Peterson is happy to share stories about his motivation and what brought him to the world of art.

Just don’t ask him where his new art studio is located.

The self-taught Lawton artist continues to gain renown outside his home state, seeing his works in private collections and museums across the country even as he readies himself for a tour in 2024. Peterson was one of the artists with local connections who presented workshops Thursday on the final day of the Oklahoma Arts Conference, held for the first time in Lawton. And, with long-time friend Beto Divino acting as moderator, Peterson answered questions about his art and himself, including those posed by an audience interested in how someone who once thought his career would be in Lawton’s Goodyear plant now commands respect in art circles across the country.

It’s a career that has evolved from portraits of popular celebrities to one that focuses on the Black experience, while also continuing to “speak well of Lawton-Fort Sill,” Divino said. Peterson himself credits God and family for his life, explaining God is his foundation and his wife and family are his cornerstone.

“They’re everything to me,” said Peterson, who shared some good news with the audience — that family now includes a grandchild.

Peterson said Lawton-Fort Sill is important to him because it’s where he has lived, where he met his wife and where his children were born. It’s also where he discovered himself.

“It feels right to be here,” he said, adding there are other artists who call Lawton home. “There’s more than just me here.”

As for his work, that has evolved just as he has evolved. His work includes emotions, Peterson said, explaining his goal is for people to see themselves in his work, “living a life similar to theirs.”

He probably wasn’t thinking that far ahead in 2012. Until then, he expected a long career at Goodyear, which had provided a good-paying job that supported his family. There was a little bit of art in his background: he had studied to be a fashion designer, but when that didn’t work out, Peterson said he was “done with being creative.”

An injury changed that. When he needed something to do, he picked up a pen and pad and began sketching. In June or July of 2012, he said he was persuaded to pick up a brush, and ended up creating his first painting at the kitchen table. He didn’t like that first work — although he admits he grew to appreciate it — but his wife and daughter loved it. Eight months later, he was preparing for a solo show in New York City, where he sold the majority of his works. Today, he is planning for a museum tour even as he continues to create.

Peterson had some advice for artists wanting to follow in his footsteps. One is overcoming what he said was one of his greatest challenges: comparing his work to others. He said once he let go of that need to compare and focused on himself, things got easier. And, that’s what he urges other artists to do, saying his desire is to have people remember him, long after he is gone.

He admits that art is a constant companion now — “I’m constantly sketching” — and he loves what he is doing. So do other people, he said, adding he still is amazed people want something he created with his own hands.

Even as his star rises, Peterson remains firmly committed to Lawton-Fort Sill, saying he and his wife love living here. And, he gives back to his community. One organization Peterson is passionate about is the Lawton Fort Sill Art Council, and he shows that love by selling prints of his works once a year, then donating the proceeds to the council so it can continue to grow artists.

“They are helping to raise a new generation of artists,” he said, indicating he wants to do the same someday.

For now, he continues to create new works, working in new space. So, where is that new studio?

“Somewhere between Cache and Duncan,” he said.