Erik Petersen Artist at the Broadmoor Galleries
b. 1976
Though Erik Petersen is only just beginning to understand his power as a contemporary wildlife sculptor, he has been captivated by art since he was a child growing up in Lompoc, California. He started drawing and painting at an early age. In 1996, he went to work for a bronze sculpture foundry in Prescott, Arizona, where he currently resides. Through his work at the foundry, Erik became immersed in the world of art and artists. “I think anyone participating in creativity is an artist,” says Erik, “and all it takes to be an artist is to think you are one.”
For seven of the nine years that Erik worked at the foundry, he specialized in developing his skill and ability as a patina artist. In 2005, he opened his own business doing finishing and patina work for many prominent western artists. He began developing his own sculptures at that time, focusing on the wildlife that inspires him daily.
Erik’s sculptures and those of his clients have been featured in Southwest Art, Western Art Collector, Cowboys and Indians, Sedona Monthly, and The Arizona Republic. In 2014, in collaboration with his cousin, Willie Petersen, Erik orchestrated a popular art exhibition titled Inspiration to Creation: The Hidden Life Behind Bronze. The show, which featured photography, sculpture, and film, premiered at Desert Caballeros Western Museum in Wickenburg, Arizona. It traveled to the Phippen Museum in Prescott in 2016.
1. Clay – Chavant Le Beau Touche. Get the regular clay, not HM (high melt).
2. Clay warming devices, a metal bucket with a clamp on heat lamp or 100 W bulb works great.
3. Tie wire.
4. Aluminum foil.
5. Scissors.
6. Favorite sculpture tools.
7. Plank of wood (pine) approximately 8″ x 8″ x 2″.
Bring as many planks as you wish…the wood is used as the base for your sculpture.
8. Plumber’s pipe, 1/2″ threaded: Bring several different lengths…up to 10″…not PVC pipe.
Plumber’s pipe T joint.
Plumber’s pipe couplers.
Plumber’s pipe flange.
9. Screws and screwdriver to secure the flange to wood…this may be done before you arrive. (Place flange in the center of plank)
10. Wire cutters
11. Needle nose pliers
12. Rubber mallet.
13. Spatula
14. Measuring devices such as rulers, measuring tape, dividers, and calipers.
15. Because we concentrate on BIRDS IN FLIGHT, live models in the classroom are more distracting than useful. I will demonstrate the technique of constructing a cantilevered bird armature that can be used for many different bird species and will show you how to assemble shapes to capture the “gist” of the specific bird.
16. Bird field guides such as Peterson, Stokes, Golden, or Sibley. Sibley’s Guide to Birds (not Sibley’s Guide to Bird Life and Behavior) is best if bringing only one field guide. This popular book can usually be purchased at any bookstore.
17. Bring your laptop to the class if possible.
18. Bring your sketchbook.
1 Lake Circle Colorado Springs, Colorado 80906
broadmoorgalleries.com