Conversations with David E. Peterson

Today we’d like to introduce you to David E. Peterson.

Hi David E., thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
It all began in a small town in Michigan called Jackson. I was the local art star, played travel hockey, varsity tennis and golf. I had to make a decision to play junior hockey in Minnesota or go to art school on a scholarship, I went to art school at the Center for Creative Studies in Detroit MI, and graduated in 2001. I loved experiencing Detroit in the late 1990’s and into the new millennium. It was such a wonderful time in Detroit: underground raves, loft parties, Hip Hop night at St. Andrews Hall, abandoned neighborhoods; house parties in the Woodbridge neighborhood with Dj’s spinning Kraftwerk and Detroit Ghetto Tech in dilapidated mansions. One of my favorite memories was having coffee early in the morning on a friends 3rd story porch and seeing a herd of deer out in the abandoned city blocks. From 1999 to 2003, I was involved in Painting, Sound Sculpture, and Video Art in Detroit, Ann Arbor and Chicago. When I made my journey to Atlanta in 2003, we moved into the Bass Lofts in Little 5 Points. Our first night in town we went across the street to Elmyr and made immediate friends in both the local music and art scene. Many of these people are still my friends. In 2004, we moved to Edgewood and rented a house with a large 2 car garage that I used as a studio. From 2004 – 2012, I created work in this studio and got into galleries in Atlanta, Dallas, New York, Miami and London. The mortgage crisis really took a toll on my art career and I finally had to find a day job in 2012. I will always remember the pivot point. I had a Solo Exhibition at the Volta Art Fair, a Two Person Exhibition at Krause Gallery, and a Group Exhibition at Allegra La Viola Gallery, all in New York, all the same week… didn’t make a single dime…. (I didn’t blow up like I thought I would), had to find a job. After I found work, things balanced out and I was able to build a studio at our home in Grant Park and have been enjoying creating in this space since 2014. I have continued my studio practice and have kept exhibiting with the galleries that represent my work. It is really a story of sticking with it and to keep thinking, producing and exhibiting. It is a life long commitment! Most recently, I am having a Solo Exhibition with Marcia Wood Gallery in Atlanta; exhibiting two installations of digital painting loops called Color Block Synthesis 47.142. The exhibition is up until Nov 15th 2025. You can find out more about the exhibition at marciawoodgallery.com

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has not always been a smooth road. I was a full-time artist from 2004 – 2012. My artwork was represented in New York, Dallas, Miami and London. I just couldn’t make ends meet and ended up getting a full-time day job in 2012, but it has worked out for the best. The steady job gave me a financial base and I was able to offset the the roller coaster of selling artwork. Having the day-job and creating art as a side hustle has blossomed into a very nice live/work balance.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am labeled as a Contemporary Minimalist, I’ve had solo exhibitions in Atlanta, Dallas, Detroit and New York and have exhibited video and sound projects at The Museum of New Art Detroit, The Detroit Contemporary, the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, and Eye Drum Gallery in Atlanta. I create, paintings, soundscapes, music, sculpture and digital video. My use of color, composition and craftsmanship sets me apart from other artists. I am very proud of creating and exhibiting work since 1999.

What does success mean to you?
Setting goals both physically and mentally and meeting those goals. The goals can be simple or complex, but accomplishing the goals defines being successful.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.davidepetersonstudio.com

Image Credits
Personal image was taken by David Batterman