Born in Lincoln, Nebraska, Pettigrew has drawn inspiration from Native American and other Western and Southwestern subjects. She began her career by earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Art from the University of Nebraska and as an illustrator for the Nebraska State Museum. In her equine and wildlife sculpture, one can see the influence of twelve years spent breeding, training, and racing thoroughbred horses. Returning to the fine arts in 1991, she has drawn inspiration and knowledge from the study of works by Henry Moore, Isamu Noguchi, Constantin Brancusi, and the Greek sculptors of the Archaic period.

Pettigrew’s sculptures have been in solo and group shows in galleries throughout the western United States including Arizona, Colorado, Nebraska, and California. She is the recipient of numerous awards, including awards from Allied Artists America and Knickerbocker Artists U.S.A.