HILLSBORO, N.D. — For decades, he sat in his Hillsboro home, quietly painting amazing pieces of art.
Detailed work.
Military planes in battle, paintings of world leaders, even sci-fi art.
When Army veteran John Pederson passed away in February at age 96, his loved ones found a treasure of his work.
Now, the Traill County Arts Coalition and family members are selling some of his incredible work as part of a silent auction. Some proceeds benefit the coalition.
Walking into their cozy home in the center of Hillsboro, you’d never know the history of one man’s work is what adorns the interior at the Arts House here.
“We tried to organize the rooms of the house into the subject matter he painted,” Eric Johnson, artist and member of the Traill County Arts Coalition, said.
John Pederson from a clip from a WDAY TV story in 2022. He died in 2025 at 96-years-old.
WDAY News file photo
In 2022, WDAY News visited Pederson, an official military artist and a Korea era veteran who drew and painted his entire life. Dramatic air battles featured in his work. Military planes with incredible detail.
“I mean, the amount of detail and time he put into these are pretty amazing,” Johnson said.
Pederson was such a fan of Norman Rockwell, he once found where he lived and knocked on the door.
“Met him, went out to his house, showed up and had dinner with him,” Johnson said of Pederson meeting Rockwell.
The Traill County Arts Coalition is working with the Pederson family to sell most of his collection. Amazing work, including paintings he made following his stroke.
“Just how different they are from everything else he did,” Johnson said.
Despite the setback, he continued to work — and golf.
The Arts House in Hillsboro.
Abby Makay / WDAY News
“We just thought it was interesting and inspirational that he continued to paint after that,” Johnson said.
Imperfections or not, it is still great art.
“A local guy I didn’t know and never met, had never heard of John before and a lot of people I talked to, some of them knew he drew a little bit but he did quite a bit. Just kept to himself and painted and worked on art,” Johnson said.
John Pederson painting in 2022.
WDAY News file photo
From Abraham Lincoln to Frederick Douglass, he was North Dakota’s Carl Ben Eielson, Rockwell and Picasso. All from a man who served his country with his artistry, and who, for years, drew and painted as he lived out his life in Hillsboro, with few ever knowing he had such an incredible collection, documenting U.S. history.
For more information on seeing or bidding on the artwork this Friday, Oct. 17, and Saturday, Oct. 18, email Eric Johnson at:
or call (701) 799-6518.
The Arts House is located at 409 East Caledonia Ave. in Hillsboro.
Bidding ends on Saturday, Oct. 18.
Kevin Wallevand has been a reporter at WDAY-TV since 1983. He is a native of Vining, Minnesota in Otter Tail County. His series and documentary work have brought him to Africa, Vietnam, Haiti, Kosovo, South America, Mongolia, Juarez,Mexico and the Middle East. He is an multiple Emmy and national Edward R. Murrow award recipient.
Reach Kevin at kwallevand@wday.com or 701-241-5317