From 1972 until 1981 my primary work was as a potter showing through art galleries, retail stores and art fairs. In 1981 I had to discontinue doing pottery because of overexposure to oxides and a near chemical poisoning. In the early days few if any of us knew that we shouldnt be stirring glazes with bare hands. Prior to 1981 and after, until about 1987, I pursued wildlife and western art in both painting and wood sculpture. About 1988 my work took an about face with the production of only abstract color and texture studies. Most of these were on a larger scale of 2X3 feet or more. I also worked with various methods of silk screening images. Recent years have turned again in a way that pulls both the detail and the abstract or impressionistic together. I have found satisfaction in combining realism with what I have learned about visuals, texture and color. Probably the statement I hear most often is that it seems as if my paintings are by a number of artists. I think the reason for this is because my interests change quite often as far as subject matter and technique. At times I might find inspiration in the detailed reflections of water or a conglomeration of tree branches while another day I smear paint every which way just to see what it looks like. Possibly it is also because I have spent many years in art and as a result have played with different styles, materials and methods as I search for ways to develop my art and myself. When I compose a painting my approach is to follow any process to achieve the end result and at times, as with pottery, I do not know in advance what that result will be. I paint from dark to light, light to dark and sometimes from mid tones to light or dark. I use black. I have painted oil over watercolor and watercolor over oil. A few times I even mix the two and apply it to canvas just to see what happens. One of my favorite methods of painting is to use colored inks for some effects either pure or as a wash. I use a computer for some graphic effects prior to printing a reproduction and often a camera to capture a scene. A lot of my painting is done with art brushes but often I use a house painters brush or a piece of material like a sponge. Sometimes I use my fingers. I mix my painting techniques and may dab, daub, wash, scrumble, rub, brush stroke or ? Thankfully we are in a time when artists have tools available to them that the masters throughout history would envy. A full composite of my work utilizes traditional and new methods in a way that a finished piece is dependent on all phases from the brush to the computer to the printer. Often, as various steps are accomplished, I will go back to the original piece and adjust it to reflect what has been achieved since it was first considered as finished. At times there may not be an actual “original” in the sense of one specific or completed piece. A theme that runs through much of my work is to display subject matter that may not be possible to find in the future. Many landscape scenes are not from a wilderness but are located very close to areas under commercial development. They are here today but tomorrow may be replaced by a WalMart or a road leading to it. Often the rural scenes I choose are in a similar vain including abandoned farms and buildings.

Telephone: 605-338-2092
Website: http://www.peterson-art.com/