About Sonja Petersen

Discovery

Sonja Petersen is a Virginia-born artist specializing in custom artwork. She collaborates closely with clients to create personalized pieces, ensuring each artwork reflects their unique vision and style.

Her artistic journey began in her teens in Culpeper, Virginia, where she exhibited and commissioned pencil drawings. She earned her first ribbon at her debut gallery show in Washington, VA, in 1990. Sonja went on to study painting and printmaking at Virginia Commonwealth University and history at Mary Washington College.

Throughout her career, Sonja has continued to paint and draw, selling her work for more than 35 years. Her art has gained international recognition, with house portraits and an illustrated book reaching audiences across the globe. When asked how she balances it all, she simply says, "Like the legs of a table, I have three passions that support and sustain me—my family, my work, and my daily sessions in my home art studio."

"Drawing and painting are my meditation, a way to capture memories in place and time. My motivation lies in honoring the sentimental treasures that shape our personal histories. This is why much of my work embraces the classic tradition of realism—not to reinterpret a subject, but to record it with precision, uncovering beauty in the finest details.

Through my art, I mark time and revisit cherished moments.

My designs are inspired by the interplay between the man-made and the natural world. I find harmony in contrasts—architecture entwined with ivy, clouds softening the rigid lines of towering church spires. My work seeks to capture the dynamic energy between the structured forms of our built environment and the organic grace of nature." ~ Sonja 💜

Sonja Petersen

Ruther Glen, Virginia

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