74 SIDELINES OCTOBER 2014
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
e
A Rare Case of Speech Loss
Inspires Walt Peterson to Paint
By Carrie Wirth
W
alt Peterson turned lemons into lemonade by dealing
with an unusual affliction that robbed him of the ability
to speak.
alt’s artistic talent was evident at an early age. Since childhood,
he was capable of capturing the likeness of his subjects in fine
detail. “In life you have detail and you have subtleties,” Walt said.
“When you’re able to put it together and make your art look life-
like, that’s what I love.”
Walt pursued fine art and graphic design at Florida State
University before working as a graphic designer.
Things were going fine until out of nowhere in 1991, Walt
became unable to speak. He went to a number of physicians over
the course of many months. Finally, the experts at the Vanderbilt
University Medical Center Voice Clinic in Nashville, Tennessee,
unraveled the mystery. Walt was afflicted with a rare disorder
known as spastic dysphonia and there was no cure.
It became challenging for Walt to lead projects at work and
he realized that he was going to have to change course in his
career. Later, he’d regard this pivotal moment in his life as a
blessing: Walt came to the
realization that what he could
do without his voice was paint.
Back in the studio, Walt sought
to perfect his craft and spent
countless hours painting.
Within two years, he became
a successful portrait artist
and had commissions booked
manymonths in advance. After
he had established himself
solidly with a viable career as
an artist, Walt’s voice gradually
and miraculously returned.
In October 2014, Walt had the opportunity to create a painting for
the International Polo Club Palm Beach’s annual poster contest.
His painting was well received and caught the attention of the polo
community. Several equestrians commissioned Walt for portraits.
Walt became enamored with painting horses and was inspired
Walt Peterson
“Flat Out Flyin”
