We have many talented artists and creatives living and working in our Farmington/Farmington Hills community and our weekly interview series, sponsored by City Life Realty, will introduce you to some of them.
Today we feature artist and author Daniel Peyton.
When did you first get started in the arts?
I began writing in the fourth grade. I was challenged to write each day by my teacher, and I fell in love with creating. I never stopped. I was first published in 2008 and that is the year I count as my true start as a published author.
Can you describe something you’ve created that is particularly meaningful to you?
All of my writing really is close to my heart. I guess I would like to mention two books in particular. The Winter Wizard Chronicles is a special story to me. I wrote that as a gift for some friends. They are blogtalk radio hosts who wanted to be featured in a book somehow. I wrote them as characters into the story and threw myself in there for fun. The story really took off and contained a lot of elements from older stories that I wrote when I was younger. I felt really connected to the story and the characters in a unique way. The second book would be my most recently published, Remnant. Writing this book came about through a long-time desire of mine. I wanted to write a Science Fiction book that was also Christian Fiction. It took a long time to write and even longer to find a publisher who even understood that kind of mixed genre. Getting it out there was a wonderful blessing and I am already seeing a lot of people love the unique story.
artists give a reason for society to exist
Has your work appeared in any city programs or events?
I have been featured in a lot of news stories and such. However, my other forms of art have been featured in various ways. My art is currently being used for an online game called Heroes Rising. I am also a proficient embroiderer in several different styles, and my embroidery has been featured at fairs and at Farragut Town Hall in Tennessee.
Can you share a favorite quote about art or life?
“I write for the same reason I breathe – because if I didn’t, I would die.”― Isaac Asimov
What advice or suggestions do you have for younger artists?
Art should not be competitive. Speaking as an author, there are far more insatiable readers out there than the authors to feed the appetites. We do not need to fight for customers, we are not each other’s enemies, we are on this road together and there is plenty of room. Don’t worry about fighting, just create.
Why is celebrating and promoting art healthy for a local community?
There is an old fable which I will paraphrase here. A warrior traveled with an artist as his guardian on a long journey. On the way another warrior from a rival family approached and attempted to kill the artist. The guardian stepped in and both warriors mortally wounded each other. The enemy asked the guardian, “Why give your life for this artist, where is his honor and glory?” The guardian answered, “Warriors fight so society can exist, artists give a reason for society to exist.” Art, in its many forms, gives us beauty and culture. If God has a reason to give us such beauty, why should we not celebrate it through art?
Learn more about Daniel Peyton here.
(Are you an artist or creative living in Farmington/Hills? We’d like to feature you and your work here, too. Download our questionnaire and return it to info@kickstartfarmington.org.)
