Peterson’s “Forever Crystal” painting emphasizes four seasons of beauty

By Joanne Bender
Sun contributor
While enjoying the privilege of viewing Glen Lake artist Ted Peterson’s watercolor, “Forever Crystal” for the first time, the title of Leif Enger’s best-selling novel, Peace Like A River popped into my mind … and heart. There it was! The painting spoke to me of peace, the circle of life and healing.
And now everyone may enjoy this outstanding work of Peterson’s, one of his best ever, for three Preserver Proofs are hanging nearby. Vik Theiss, who wanted a rendering of this beautiful river located right in Glen Arbor’s backyard, commissioned the original.

Peterson and Theiss issued the three giclee (“pronounced “zhee-clay”, meaning “to spray on,” a digital process) prints solely to the key parties involved in preserving the river: to the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, the Leelanau Conservancy and The Homestead resort.
A fourth giclee limited edition print also needed to find the perfect home. Peterson’s desire was to have the print hang in an auspicious place in Glen Arbor where the public would be able to enjoy it. Amy Peterson, Ted’s wife, happened on the place when she was helping Mike and Becky Sutherland ready their new establishment, The River at Crystal Bend, the putt-putt golf course on the Crystal River, for its grand opening.
Amy saw a wall where she believed “Forever Crystal” should be on display … behind the counter in the clubhouse. She shared her find with her husband and with Theiss. After visiting the building, both agreed with Amy’s suggestion. The Sutherlands were overjoyed and enthusiastically accepted the opportunity offered to purchase the print.
A special unveiling ceremony was planned and executed on June 18. Becky says that she and Mike “feel very humbled to have been asked to show off this very special print.” It is hanging on the chosen wall, under lights, offering the opportunity for public viewing.
This is how the painting process happened. Theiss commissioned Peterson to render the watercolor because this particular section of the Crystal River is his favorite and because it is now part of the National Lakeshore. The area featured is located on Crystal View Road (County Road 675) on the north side just a short distance from M-22.
This property was once owned by The Homestead, later purchased by the Leelanau Conservancy and by an act of Congress bought from the Conservancy by the United States Government, thus becoming part of the National Lakeshore.
Peterson sent a sketch to Theiss, which he wholeheartedly accepted, and the watercolor began to take shape. Peterson says that “a larger force, yes, a divine force” took over as he shaped the images. He wanted to attempt to show all four seasons in an understated manner.
He says he did not want this effect to be “cornball”. And it definitely is not.
Looking at this lyrical work, filled with light, one sees the hazy summer sun rising from the right. The eye moves left to the early blooming of spring and then to fir trees boasting the light snows of winter and finally, on the left there is autumn with leaves softly ablaze with color. The river runs through it and the feeling is that it flows in a circle … as does life.
Peterson mentions thinking about the river all the time he was painting. He wanted the painting to stand alone on its own merits and not be a part of any other story. He is proud of his work and believes it to be in “good form” and carried through in a “good direction”.
Peterson studied his work after completion, a new approach for him.
During this perusal he could see things happening in the painting that were new to him. He comments, “There is a lot more here than I consciously planned.”
In his epic poem, Endymion, in 1818, John Keats may have been a visionary, looking far ahead to viewing Peterson’s “Forever Crystal” when he wrote the following:

“A thing of beauty is a joy forever:
Its loveliness increases;
It will never pass into nothingness;
But still will keep
A bower quiet for us, and a sleep
Full of sweet dreams, and health
And quiet breathing.”
Prints of “Forever Crystal” are available for purchase at The Homestead and at The River.