Lynda Peterson paints in her studio gallery, L.Louise Art, in an old train depot in the small town of Dassel, Minnesota about an hour west of the Twin Cities area. Peterson is involved in her community’s art events, working with the the Dassel Area Historical Society to put on events such as the Dassel Art Tour, art auctions, art exhibitions and more. Peterson and her daughter Aina Jane hold classes and other events and provide space for other artists in their historic venue.

Of her representational work Peterson says:

“I am endlessly fascinated by the natural landscape and it’s ever changing moods. The play of light and color at various times of day and how it affects the way we experience our world is something of which I never tire.

I am not concerned with re-creating exactly what I have seen, I am re-experiencing it as I create my work, often with a few surprises along the way.

I allow my paintings to develop along their own timeline, which varies from painting to painting. At some point I put it aside and let it catch my eye unexpectedly, and might see things I haven’t seen before to enhance or eliminate that strengthen the piece.”

Peterson’s abstract work is an exploration of the human search for enlightenment, with little revelations comprised of texture and color primarily using a palette knife to both conceal and reveal this search.

“These works develop almost on their own. I begin with bold color and sweeping strokes, playing around with the tools I use, allowing the paint to bring me the piece. When I start to see what it wants to be, I make technical decisions and adjustments, but the main work comes from somewhere outside myself, and I merely develop it as I paint.”

A favorite quote from Willem De Kooning sums it up for Peterson: “I think I am painting a picture of two women, but it may turn out to be a landscape.”