Ted Peterson remembers his first watercolor...

...his grandmother's farm in Hart, Michigan, done when he was 12 years old. Born in Muskegon, Ted has vivid memories of summers spent on that farm. His folks also liked to explore other areas of northern Michigan. 

​So, at an early age, Ted got his first introduction to Leelanau County.
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​The wonderful beaches, sand dunes, deep forests, islands and clear waters of Glen and Crystal Lakes were the foundation of his love for the area. 

Later, their indelible impressions became his motivation to capture them on paper.
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Ted began drawing in earnest in primary school, continuing on in high school. The vivid color and unpredictable nature of paint continually fascinated him and he eagerly looked forward to his first watercolor class in college – 
​"that's when I knew what I wanted to do."

After earning a degree in Fine and Applied Arts with Highest Honors from University of Illinois, Ted put his art talents to work throughout his professional career culminating in a design office in Chicago.

moving back and forth between pure abstraction and realism

Ted's work is quite varied. He is grounded in the school of good design, composition and drawing– the principles he believes are the foundation for solid paintings. Ted reveres his mentors who stressed these principles:  Ed Betts, Irving Shapiro, Tony Couch, Nita Engle, Judi Betts, Frank Webb, and Val Cushing.

Ted's exploration of nature is reflected in his work, discovering the hidden meadow at the end of the road, or the bend in the Crystal River disappearing into the shadows. He has also captured many of the farms and barns in the historic Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in his paintings.

art is a way of life for Ted

Ted delights in captivating the mystery of an old barn or the sparkle in the river like the midnight sky.
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The home he designed, the products he values, his love of sailing, all convey how he sees. His broad interests contributed to his dynamic and varied style.