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Painting outdoors creates new challenges as a painter. For one you need to look at the surrounding beauty that surrounds you. How do you narrow down such vistas? Well this year at the last Gene Rantz Plein Air Paint Out in Northport I decided to paint the cool old truck off Overlook Road in Northport. Every time I passed that produce stand I told myself I needed to try to paint that truck. So I did. And… my finished painting “Still Truckin'” earned an Honorary Award! How inspiring! Thank you Northport!

Recently I submitted artwork to be in the “Between Us” jury entry exhibit to be held at the Crooked Tree in Traverse City. I’m pleased to say they selected one of my pieces to be in the show! The exhibit takes place January 16th – February 21st. The Open Reception is January 17th (Saturday) from 3pm – 5pm. I hope to see you there. I will also be participating in the “Artist Talk” on January 31st. Attending shows and talking with other artists and artist enthusiasts is always my favorite part in creating artwork. Please come by to see the artwork selected from artists throughout Michigan.

Self-expression through various arts always intrigued me.  In college, my artistic dream leaned towards ceramics and theatre. Shortly after, I decided a Bachelor’s of Science in TV production would provide a larger paint brush for opportunities – and it did.  Writing, producing and editing video content led to graphic and website design and eventually business ownership.

After owning and operating a video production company in the Michigan Saginaw Valley I moved to Suttons Bay in 2009 where I established Kat Dakota Design a DBA of DakotaDoDat.

Through this company, I continue to offer graphic design services including copy writing and editing, WordPress customization and deployment, print layout and design (magazine, brochures, business cards etc.), and book editing.

I enjoy the commercial art world but when I moved to Suttons Bay I not only found “home” –  I found the gift God intended me to polish and develop – painting. 

The love of my dogs and meeting people from around the world created easy inspiration which launched my thriving portrait business both of pets and people.  Responses from customers and followers created my full time career as a commission artist – first capturing an animal’s spirit, now a person’s essence.  I also paint figures, landscapes and waterscapes that I hope tell a story and create personal experiences for the viewer.

My continual goal is to paint expressively where the execution – not the subject matter – creates and retains the art’s value.  I hope people recognize my work as art that “speaks”.

Visitors are welcome in my studio to see paintings in progress, other originals and prints for sale.  Normal hours are Monday – Saturday, 11:00 – 6pm (sometimes much later).  Please come, conversations fuel my creative energy.

In Christ’s “Passion” He gave all.  With my passion I want to share what He has given me.

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