Pete Lundberg

Medical reasons caused me to retire from my day job early. Part of my personal physical rehab was to relearn motor control mostly using large muscle groups to do what is typically done with fine motor skills. I had long admired paintings done with resist and dyes on silk by a friend. She offered to mentor me and talked me through my first picture which took several months. After finishing that picture, she gifted me enough supplies to begin painting on my own. I fell in love with this unique art and have now been painting for seven years. Prior to this time, my wonderful wife Carol and my four children would have said that I did not have an artistic bone in my body. Now they are great supporters of my art.

Within me is a desire, a need to create that goes far beyond hobby or passion. It is a storm inside me. Several times in any given week I will be in my studio at midnight or thereabouts because this drive will not let me sleep more than a few hours. I don't mind unless I am so tired I ruin a painting, which does happen. I am so blessed to have this in me. I enjoy creating and sharing this art. With the exception of four paintings, I have designed all my work.

Stuff from Dharma: Resist: I have used Jacquard Gutta Resist black, clear and clear with a bit of dye on many of my paintings. I also use Resistad with about 50% dye added for a line with a lot of color.

Dye: I have all the Sennelier Tinfix colors available with extra of my favorites for when I run out. I have all the Dupont French dye colors, Jacquard green and red label colors, most of the colors of the Dharma acid dye powders, some of the Jacquard acid dye powders, some of the Dharma Lanaset dye colors, 51 of Pebeo Soie colors (wish I had more--anyone??) and a few more dyes from elsewhere. Last time I counted I had just over 300 colors, yet I still frequently mix them to come up with what I want for a particular painting. I use around 60 colors on a typical painting.

Silk: Most of my art is on either 16mm Habotai or 16mm Crepe de Chine. I go through a lot as I throw out more than half of my paintings.

Steamer: I use my Jacquard vertical upright steamer.

Hmm. One other item from Dharma I appreciate is the helpful conversation.

Once steamed, I take my pictures to a frame shop and pick out the mat(s) and frame. I use conservation framing and other than some early pictures, I use museum glass.

Thanks for your interest in my art!