Preator, Jerry

Artist and Instructor, Jerry Preator, Lakeview, has been drawing since the age of 6, and painting with oils from age 13. After serving in the Navy ('52-'56) in Korea, he used the GI Bill to go the Kansas City Art Institute where he graduated with a BFA in Graphic Design and a minor in Illustration and Painting.  He started painting watercolors in 1960 while in college, so he has over 60 years of experience. He taught watercolor for over 57 years, teaching 1600 people of all degrees of ability in Iowa, Texas, Missouri, and currently he has 45 students at his studio in Lakeview, AR. Jerry writes, “I started the first Adult Education Watercolor Class in Des Moines, IA, when they said ‘no one could teach watercolor on that level.’ I had 68 people show up for that class.”  Jerry taught at Hobby Lobby for 3 years until covid stopped all from teaching at their stores. He’s had many one man shows in Iowa, Texas, Missouri, and Arkansas. A painting was accepted in the “Iowa Artist Show” which qualified him to be a member of their “Sales Gallery.” This provided him an outlet to put much of his work in the offices of doctors, lawyers, and business offices in Des Moines, IA.  He continues to paint between 150 and 200 paintings a year. Jerry Preator is a member of  The Area Art Club in Mountain Home, AR. Prior to living in Arkansas, he was the Art Director for Better Homes & Gardens magazine in Des Moines, IA for 8 years. The last 4 years at Better Homes & Gardens he was Production Manager, responsible for color reproduction of all Better Homes & Gardens’ 128 magazine issues. He studied under Tony Couch, watercolor instructor and author. Jerry was also Art Director for Lee Rider Western Wear in Kansas City, MO for 4 years.