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Artist Kat Dakota |
Artwork
Artist Statement
Exciting news! Meakalia Previch-Liu from the Leelanau Enterprise wrote a wonderful article featuring Debra Howard and myself in the 2023 Color Tour magazine. It’s an honor to be selected among many fantastic artists in the area. You can read the article by clicking on image above and here.
The need of self-expression through art, always resided within me. But it wasn’t until my late 50’s I discovered oil painting as my passion.
I find in any art form as a way to externalize feelings so you can look at them face to face. It’s like coming to a resolve, finding clarity and maybe even – answers. I liken the feeling to listening to a piece of music’s last trailing note, clapping after a pregnanted pause following a moving performance, watching a movie to the last closing credit line or reflecting on my dreams in the morning before opening my eyes. They’re simple actions. But they help me move forward.
Those choices clearly explain why I choose to paint one painting at a time – wet into wet –moving paint expressively and reaching its purpose before starting another composition.
I continue to aspire to paint what matters vs. subject matter by capturing the spirit of an animal, personality of a pet, essence of an individual or feelings experienced at a location or event.
Growing as an artist – for me – is forever. I can’t promise one style immerging or sticking – but I hope you recognize my art through my exploration of oil and mixed media and recognizable growth in creating art that speaks to you.
I was born in Bowling Green, Kentucky as a PK (preachers’ kid). Though being very quiet as a child – hardly speaking – I now love meeting strangers and ending the conversations as friends. My love for animals certainly started as a child living in the country, outside a VERY small Missouri farming community. There I adopted stray dog after stray dog. In the 70’s my father accepted a call to a church in Michigan. There in High school, my interest grew in theatre and art. I followed my artistic dream in my first years of college, studying ceramics and theatre, but later decided a Bachelor’s of Science in TV production would provide a larger paint brush for opportunities. Which it did – including producing and editing video programs, directing on-camera talent, designing production stages, writing scripts, creating digital media and designing corporate event outings.
In 2009 I moved to Suttons Bay, MI where my mom was born and raised and established a graphic design business, DakotaDoDat.
In 2017 I debuted my digital painting. Shortly after, I was invited to join the Northport Public Art Committee and soon awarded the opportunity to design the Northport Marina Mural titled, “Bay Presents”. That led to, friends encouraging me to “paint”! So, I did! (The image of the mural is included in the gallery images.)
My art academia list is small (a few art workshops, an ongoing on-line Alla Prima Bootcamp network and YouTube) but my support from giving artists is huge.
The catalyst in my growth as an artist comes from paying attention to the path God designed for me.
He gave me a talent to polish so I aspire to develop it for His glory. In His “Passion” He gave all. With my passion I aspire to share with others what He has given me.
2023 has been quite busy and exciting so far! Below see events and shows I will be attending. I hope you stop and say hi!
2023 Leelanau Women’s Artist Show
Where: Old Art Building, Leland Michigan
www.oldartbuilding.com/
111 S Main St, Leland, MI 49654
When: October 20th – 22nd
The Old Art Building creates artistic experiences the community and visitors look forward every year. Come see for yourself what this culturally unique town offers. At least come meet me! I love starting conversations with strangers and ending our conversations as friends!
Leland Plein Air Event (Past May)
Fantastic event! The Old Art Building was filled with great art and lots of sales! I'm grateful my plein air painting also sold!
Pit Spitters “Barks and Brews”
I attended 3 ball games providing people the opportunity to win a Free Oil Painting of their dog!
They were fun nights! It was great meeting so many dog lovers! There were 3 winners! I will post if I decide to do something similar next year.
Gene Rantz Memorial Plein Air Paint Out
Northport Arts Association (NAA) Northport, Michigan
www.northportartsassociation.org/
I won 2nd Prize! I'm so grateful people appreciated the waterscape I painted from 5th Street Northport. I used a palette knife to capture the hazy sunrise. The painting is shown in the gallery above. Two of my Plein Air paintings sold during the event including the 2nd Prize Winner.
Animal Lovers Exhibit:
My pet portraits and wild life paintings were on display with other animal artists on the same day as the popular Northport Dog Parade. The show was a great success so the Northport Art Association is very interested in having the show next year. I will keep you posted.