Denise Petersen is an award-winning artist based in Illinois, USA. She is a Chicago native who has worked in the art field since 1993.
Over the years, she has been fortunate enough to receive a wide range of commissions, from stunning landscape paintings to captivating abstract pieces.
Animal portraiture is a genre that holds a special place in her heart. Painting animal portraits is a source of pure joy for her, as their honesty and personalities always shine through. It allows her to combine two of her greatest loves – art and animals.
Denise has won numerous awards including Best in Show in Fusion Art’s 7th Annual Women Artists Art Exhibition in summer 2024.
One of Denise’s earliest childhood memories was wishing to be like her older cousin who spent his days drawing and painting, so she picked up her first pencil and paintbrush at age four, bought her first tubes of oil paint at age eleven and knew then that she was, and would always be, an artist.
After receiving the coveted Outstanding Senior In Art award in high school, she attended the American Academy of Art in Chicago where in 1992, received two degrees (in Fine Art & Illustration). Since 1993, she has freelanced for art studios throughout the Chicago area. One of those was Acme Design where she was the in-house master painter. Their work at the time focused mainly on smaller-scale models. The owner and lead artist of the studio designated her job title on her business cards as “Queen of Color”, which to this day remains a favorite moniker.
For three decades, she’s participated in numerous group shows and juried exhibitions. One highlight was in 1997; Denise was honored to have her first water-figure Ophelia accepted into a group exhibition. It was themed "Figurative Abstraction", and was held at the beautiful Fine Arts Gallery on Michigan Avenue. The show was juried by the brilliant Ed Paschke. On opening night, she walked in to find Ophelia front and center - on her own wall. Later that evening, Mr. Paschke spoke in front of the painting, which was an incredible honor. Her award-winning work is in private collections across the country.
In my work, I consistently utilize an up close and personal, almost boxed-in composition requiring the viewer to allow for an intimate interaction. This holds true whether the subject matter is an animal, fellow artist or an old pair of boots in a still life. My painting, Our Golden Girl, is a perfect example of an intimate moment between the subject and viewer. My intent was to capture a small slice of her personality (and looks!) as well as honor our golden girl, Lucille, as she turned ten years old.
I'm drawn to the idea of examining the inevitable toll usage and time take on us all, and want to explore the character and beauty in things becoming aged, weathered and worn. Personalities or character traits can come through even in inanimate objects, particularly as they age. Still lifes are a perfect vessel for that form of study.
The genre that is especially close to my heart is animal portraiture. When you are in the presence of an animal, there’s no pretense. It’s as real as it gets.
Visit Denise at the below links to learn more about her, her art and to buy or commission an artwork from her.
| Website |
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