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We are so honored that local artist Bruce Peterson's family donated so many gorgeous pieces from his art estate to the Addison Center for the Arts. Over the coming months, we will be highlighting Peterson's career and archiving his collection on our website. We are also planning an art exhibits of his work with the proceeds going to the ACA at the Addison Village Hall rotunda Winter 2023 and the Addison Center for the Arts Gallery in Spring 2023.
Bruce Peterson was an accomplished artist winning many awards for his water media, acrylic and oil painting. He attended the Art Institute of Chicago and graduated from the University of Illinois.
Bruce worked over forty years as an advertising designer and illustrator. He started his own photography art studio in 1975. His clients included Montgomery Ward, Sears, Barco Products, Wordcraft and Stonehill Studios. Bruce was a member of the Elmhurst Artists’ Guild, the Addison Art Guild and the DuPage Art League. He was a signature member of the Transparent Watercolor Society of America.
A well-known art instructor, Bruce taught at the College of DuPage as well as at several local art organizations. He gave numerous demonstrations in various media. While accomplished in objective art with subject matter, Bruce also created non-objective and abstract expressionistic paintings, often of pure design. People enjoyed his demonstrations and came away with knowledge gained from wide experience.
If you are interested in acquiring a primo piece of art by a well-known regional artist, make an appointment with us to view some of Bruce Peterson's exquisite work. Call 630-458-4500 or email [email protected]. Also, many of the paintings on this page are still available for you to take home. Get in touch and we will save it for you.
Bruce Peterson was an accomplished artist winning many awards for his water media, acrylic and oil painting. He attended the Art Institute of Chicago and graduated from the University of Illinois.
Bruce worked over forty years as an advertising designer and illustrator. He started his own photography art studio in 1975. His clients included Montgomery Ward, Sears, Barco Products, Wordcraft and Stonehill Studios. Bruce was a member of the Elmhurst Artists’ Guild, the Addison Art Guild and the DuPage Art League. He was a signature member of the Transparent Watercolor Society of America.
A well-known art instructor, Bruce taught at the College of DuPage as well as at several local art organizations. He gave numerous demonstrations in various media. While accomplished in objective art with subject matter, Bruce also created non-objective and abstract expressionistic paintings, often of pure design. People enjoyed his demonstrations and came away with knowledge gained from wide experience.
If you are interested in acquiring a primo piece of art by a well-known regional artist, make an appointment with us to view some of Bruce Peterson's exquisite work. Call 630-458-4500 or email [email protected]. Also, many of the paintings on this page are still available for you to take home. Get in touch and we will save it for you.
Article for Bruce's solo show at the Elmhurst Artists' Guild in 2000:
From:
Suburban Life Weekly Newspaper, Spotlight June 30 - July 6, 2000
FINE ART SHOW BRIGHTENS MUSEUM
‘Hometown Boy’ dazzles art lovers with dynamic expressions
By Paul Barile
Vibrant colors are exploding off the canvasses at the Elmhurst Artists’ Guild Gallery’s latest one-man exhibit, “Bruce Peterson – Fine Art Show.”
Textures and lines that defy space become defined within the painter’s abstract expressionist style. Elmhurst native Bruce Peterson is bringing his work home to the gallery through Friday, July 21. The self-described “hometown boy” will share his passion for dynamic colors and his use of texture for the benefit of the guild and the Elmhurst Art Museum.
As a child, Peterson was heavily influenced by his father, who also was an artist. He has been involved in art since he was 6 years old. Peterson, a graduate of York High School, studied at the Art Institute of Chicago and earned a bachelor’s degree in fine arts, advertising design, from the University of Illinois.
As a member of the armed forces, Peterson had the opportunity to travel to Germany, Italy, France, and Mexico. Through his travels, Peterson took the time to increase his knowledge of art and history. Although he didn’t realize it at the time, his travels, particularly through Mexico, would have a profound impact on his art and on the colors that he would be using. “It’s all about how you perceive life,” Peterson said. “It is about what you see and what way you choose to communicate that to others.” His time in the service limited his time to paint, but he was able to develop his photographic skills. He won many awards for his photos, in the 2nd Armored Division.
Upon his return home, Peterson worked as a commercial artist on staff for major corporations before opening up Bruce A. Peterson Studio in Elmhurst.
The work is “abstract expressionism,” by Peterson’s terms. It is characterized by free-flowing colors and exciting forms. One of the most stunning examples of this form is a piece called “Los Violines.” The subtle use of arcs and lines defines the instruments that appear to explode off of the canvas in a surrealistic prism of color.
Peterson has been teaching “abstract expressionism” at the DuPage Art League and has given demonstrations at the Addison Art Guild, as well as many other art interests in the community. He also serves on the board for the Senior’s Art Network, or SAN.
“In Conflict” is another visually exciting piece on display in the Elmhurst show. Peterson maintains the delicate balance between the subtle use of form and aggressive use of color.
Drawing on his experience as a merchandising and layout/design idea man, Peterson also has created some more traditional paintings. “End of the Game” captures football’s quiet side as the hulking figures loom on the end of the bench. The fact that neither victory nor defeat is obvious, makes the picture that much more compelling. “End of the Game” is a marriage of his photographic work with his painting. By photographing the ballplayers while they are on the television, he creates models that have a unique texture right from the start. The painting just follows the natural progression of Peterson’s vision.
Perhaps the most beautiful of Peterson’s traditional pieces is a simple little streetscape called “Sunday Morning, Charleston.” The sense of melancholy that pervades the image enhances the dimension of the work. “In the Army, I was stationed in Columbia, S.C. That was between 1956 and 1958,” Peterson said. “I took a day trip down to Charleston and snapped a few pictures.” Years faded those snapshots, so Peterson returned to Charleston in the early 1980s and did a complete tour of the town. This painting represents his perception of the historical district.
Finally, there are the polo paintings. This series captures the bold strides of the horses set against the unmoving natural setting. For the polo fan, these are must-see paintings.
“My work is a conglomeration of everything that I have done and seen in my life,” Peterson said. “The things that I have felt combined with my experiences and my travels. These are what makes up my art.
“Enjoyment of a painting is most important. You don’t have to explain everything.”
From:
Suburban Life Weekly Newspaper, Spotlight June 30 - July 6, 2000
FINE ART SHOW BRIGHTENS MUSEUM
‘Hometown Boy’ dazzles art lovers with dynamic expressions
By Paul Barile
Vibrant colors are exploding off the canvasses at the Elmhurst Artists’ Guild Gallery’s latest one-man exhibit, “Bruce Peterson – Fine Art Show.”
Textures and lines that defy space become defined within the painter’s abstract expressionist style. Elmhurst native Bruce Peterson is bringing his work home to the gallery through Friday, July 21. The self-described “hometown boy” will share his passion for dynamic colors and his use of texture for the benefit of the guild and the Elmhurst Art Museum.
As a child, Peterson was heavily influenced by his father, who also was an artist. He has been involved in art since he was 6 years old. Peterson, a graduate of York High School, studied at the Art Institute of Chicago and earned a bachelor’s degree in fine arts, advertising design, from the University of Illinois.
As a member of the armed forces, Peterson had the opportunity to travel to Germany, Italy, France, and Mexico. Through his travels, Peterson took the time to increase his knowledge of art and history. Although he didn’t realize it at the time, his travels, particularly through Mexico, would have a profound impact on his art and on the colors that he would be using. “It’s all about how you perceive life,” Peterson said. “It is about what you see and what way you choose to communicate that to others.” His time in the service limited his time to paint, but he was able to develop his photographic skills. He won many awards for his photos, in the 2nd Armored Division.
Upon his return home, Peterson worked as a commercial artist on staff for major corporations before opening up Bruce A. Peterson Studio in Elmhurst.
The work is “abstract expressionism,” by Peterson’s terms. It is characterized by free-flowing colors and exciting forms. One of the most stunning examples of this form is a piece called “Los Violines.” The subtle use of arcs and lines defines the instruments that appear to explode off of the canvas in a surrealistic prism of color.
Peterson has been teaching “abstract expressionism” at the DuPage Art League and has given demonstrations at the Addison Art Guild, as well as many other art interests in the community. He also serves on the board for the Senior’s Art Network, or SAN.
“In Conflict” is another visually exciting piece on display in the Elmhurst show. Peterson maintains the delicate balance between the subtle use of form and aggressive use of color.
Drawing on his experience as a merchandising and layout/design idea man, Peterson also has created some more traditional paintings. “End of the Game” captures football’s quiet side as the hulking figures loom on the end of the bench. The fact that neither victory nor defeat is obvious, makes the picture that much more compelling. “End of the Game” is a marriage of his photographic work with his painting. By photographing the ballplayers while they are on the television, he creates models that have a unique texture right from the start. The painting just follows the natural progression of Peterson’s vision.
Perhaps the most beautiful of Peterson’s traditional pieces is a simple little streetscape called “Sunday Morning, Charleston.” The sense of melancholy that pervades the image enhances the dimension of the work. “In the Army, I was stationed in Columbia, S.C. That was between 1956 and 1958,” Peterson said. “I took a day trip down to Charleston and snapped a few pictures.” Years faded those snapshots, so Peterson returned to Charleston in the early 1980s and did a complete tour of the town. This painting represents his perception of the historical district.
Finally, there are the polo paintings. This series captures the bold strides of the horses set against the unmoving natural setting. For the polo fan, these are must-see paintings.
“My work is a conglomeration of everything that I have done and seen in my life,” Peterson said. “The things that I have felt combined with my experiences and my travels. These are what makes up my art.
“Enjoyment of a painting is most important. You don’t have to explain everything.”