Battle Ground High graduate hopes to continue to pursue art

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Seventeen-year-old Justin Peterson said he has loved drawing since he was a little kid, and as he got older, he continued wanting to make art and pursue different styles, which led him into more drawing, painting and digital photography.

“My grandpa Lyle was a painter and I always saw his paintings, so I guess that’s what attracted me to painting and art,” Peterson said.

Peterson, who just graduated from Battle Ground High School June 13, recently sold his first digital photo at the recent Battle Ground High School/Prairie High School Digital Photography Show on display at Old Town Battle Grounds. The digital photo that he sold was of his older brother Michael’s iguana.

“I was both surprised and excited,” Peterson said. “It was the first photo I sold. The next week I sold my first painting for $100.”

Currently, Peterson has eight double-exposure digital photos on display at ProActive Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy in The Gardner Center near Battle Ground Fitness.



During his high school career, Peterson took numerous art classes, including drawing and painting 1 and 2, digital photography 1 and 2, independent studies for digital photography and AP drawing and painting, which he took twice. He also took two wood design classes and was a TA for his art teacher, working on art most of the time.

“The thing I enjoy about art the most is the feeling and peace that I get when I can put my headphones in and listen to music and get into my rhythm and just create and get into my zone,” he said.

Other than art and photography, Peterson said he spends his time hanging out with his friends, listening to music and watching ESPN. After high school, he plans to get a job, attend Clark College and focus on his art.

Peterson is the son of Lori and Shane Peterson. He has a twin brother, Blaine, and an older brother, Michael, who is 20.