Denise Frazier Pettee was born in Chicago and lived in Indianapolis, as a young adult. As a child and a teen, Pettee received scholastic art awards and scholarships to John Herron Art Institute. She attended Eastern Illinois University and Ball State University, on scholarship, and graduated with a degree in art education from John Herron Art Institute/Indiana University. The artist subsequently taught painting and drawing at a public high school before taking a job as a sports figure illustrator at a silk screen design firm. In working as a fashion illustrator, some years later, Denise developed a solid foundation in figure drawing and refined her skills in line illustration. As a free lance illustrator, Frazier Pettee’s work has been printed in numerous magazine and newspaper publications.

     In 1996, Denise reconnected with an old friend, Charles Mundy, and with his encouragement, she began to rediscover her love of fine art. Traveling through Europe and the states has opened her eyes to the wonderful world of plein aire painting. Pettee’s “in studio” work is enhanced by outdoor, location painting. The artist has exhibited with galleries from Denver and Park City to Naples and New England. Her work has been juried into the Hoosier Salon and the Indiana Heritage Arts Exhibitions and earned various awards. The artist’s style and sensitive interpretation of her subjects is particularly reflected in her figurative work. Pettee works in a bold, expressive manner with overtones of contemporary impressionism.