By ALLISON WISK
awisk@neighborsgo.com
It’s no stroke of luck that Peg Rosenlund has seen success as an artist in Dallas.
After graduating from Highland Park High School, Rosenlund began her career as the only woman to graduate with a degree in architecture in her 1949 class at University of Texas.
“I got a lot of guff,” Rosenlund mused. “But what an experience it was. I think the seed was planted in me then. The guys and I would work together on our art while I was there.”
She began painting as a vocation in the 1960s after returning to Dallas to work for the iconic George Dahl and Associates firm.
Having designed several mid-century modern homes that are sought after by local architecture aficionados to this day, Rosenlund started a family with her husband, Jack, a structural engineer, and put down her tools to pick up a paintbrush.
It was a calling Rosenlund felt she was meant to undertake.
“I was always interested in fine art,” Rosenlund said. “My neighbor started taking a course down the street, and I thought, ‘Well, dadgummit, I can do that too!’”
Studying at a North Dallas community center, Rosenlund’s love of painting was fostered through learning under several teachers, including Denison-born, New York-based artist Roger Winter. Though she started out in oil paint, Rosenlund soon found that water and mixed media interested her more.
“I think I just got frustrated with how long it took to dry,” said Rosenlund with a laugh. “So I moved onto acrylic.”
Her art spans themes from the biblical to the political to intricate collage pieces, but all are produced in the abstract style for which she is known.
“I’ve always enjoyed abstracting the subject matter,” Rosenlund said. “There’s a hint of the subject. To do straight realism never excited me.”
Soon Rosenlund was showing her work in galleries and commercial spaces, and people took notice.
“I had a bunch of paintings in the lobby of Medical City [Hospital],” Rosenlund said. “Clint Murchison walked in and bought one. I was just thrilled.”
She has gone on to become a part of numerous public and private collections, exhibiting at regional and national museums, group and one-woman shows at North Lake College and the Dallas Biblical Arts Center.
Rosenlund and 27 others will participate in the North Dallas Artist Studio Tour on April 24-25 on an event which is now in its seventh year. Rosenlund’s home studio is a stop on the tour, and she will exhibit her work there along with wood craftsman Dean Hofer and jeweler Linda Rowe.
Opening her home to the public is something that Rosenlund anticipates each year.
“I’ve made great friends doing this,” Rosenlund said. “To have someone want to see and possibly buy your art, well, that’s just gratifying.”
IF YOU GO
North Dallas Artist Studio Tour
April 24-25
Saturday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday: 1 to 5p.m.
Cost of admission is free.
For a full list of participating artists and a map of the studios on the tour, visit northdallasart.com.
Allison Wisk is the editor of North Dallas and Park Cities neighborsgo and can be reached at 214-977-8172 or via e-mail at awisk@neighborsgo.com. Got a story, photo or video you'd like to share? Post them directly on neighborsgo.com. Got a story idea? Send it to me directly. For more about how neighborsgo.com works with our neighborsgo print editions, please visit neighborsgo.com/help.
