About Andrew Petterson

A Modern Master

The work of Andrew Petterson is founded in tradition with a perspective that is attentive and contemporary. Moving with ease between oil, charcoal and clay, his art is often described as emotionally rich, comforting, and inviting. Andrew’s admiration for classical art attracts him to subject matter with depth of story and timeless themes. His background as an engineer and master automotive fabricator provides an inquisitive approach to each of his subjects as he breathes life into his work.

Originally from Idaho, Andrew is based in Southern California and Rome where he continues to deepen his roots in classical art and study the masters.

Transcending Time

I paint to feel better, bring joy to myself and my environment, show others a form of expression that feels like it’s being lost, to share how I see the world and my environment and to wonder how other people will interpret how I see it, to find myself, find my purpose, find the place where I belong, share something that’s ancient that I love, that transcends time and gets lost in social media and TV and the noise of this new world, to feel the love that runs through me while I’m creating, to give birth to these ideas that would not exist without me, show others what my creativity looks like, to inspire others to be creative. To take a break from the world... my burdens, because it is one of the only times I feel like I belong, because it feels like home it feels safe, because it’s always challenging me, pushing me to be better, to try something new, to find a way to share an idea and see if it comes out how I think it will or to try a new way, to see if I can get it closer to what’s in my imagination, to give you an opportunity to see something that I couldn’t explain with words or tell any other way.

A Moment to Slow Down

I paint to give you a break, a vacation, a respite, a visual shoulder to lean on, a moment to slow down, a moment to think about how you used to draw and you were pretty good and you miss it, a different way to see the world, the way I see it, to give you an opportunity to argue that, to discuss it, to show you a perspective you couldn’t get any other way, not from a photo, not a story, not a video, you get to see something through me as a conduit. To put people at ease, give them peace, to give them a connection, a knowing that I relate to an experience that you’ve had because of what you feel looking at what I made. To let you know that art is alive and not going away, not redundant, not old technology, that it is pertinent and valuable and more effective than many contemporary forms of visual communication. To give you time to slow down, change your feelings, change the lens you are looking at life through,  give you time to slow down, change your experience in that moment, look at what I made and you don’t have to feel like you’re not good enough, that you couldn’t do that, and knowing that you are not alone with what you’re going through, give you a place to feel like you belong, to take you where I was when I made that painting, to share, to commune. To inspire, maybe you will pick up a pencil or brush and try, maybe you will find the freedom that I have found.

A Fleeting Moment That I Can Make Last Forever

When I paint, I see things slow down, simpler, in their most simple form, then I gradually see the layers that build off that form and make it become what it is. I see a story that I perceive and have the freedom to tell in my own way. I see in a portrait an experience that someone has had, or is having, and think about how to tell that story. I see a fleeting moment that I can make last forever whether it is a person,  the light at that time of the day, on that day, the clouds on that day, who the person was on that day. A window that I can look into with intense focus and attention to detail that can consume all of my thoughts and energy connecting to this view and what I’m seeing, to try and represent it in a way that I feel is true.