I’ve been filling sketchbooks since I was a child. My parents and grandparents were creative and always allowed me to follow my passions. Through high school I participated in whatever art event I could, painting murals, attending art club, illustrating yearbooks, all that.
After high school, I worked at Trek Bicycles for a bit, painting bikes. Then I spontaneously joined the Army. I served from 2000 to 2005. It was good, but also bad, nothing too crazy. I continued as an artist throughout, providing tattoo designs, painting murals, and always filling sketchbooks.
Once getting out, I immediately enrolled at The Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design. I discovered and fell in love with printmaking. I was attracted to the sculptural process, using 3D objects to make 2D art. I felt connected to the community of printers always sharing spaces and equipment. I especially loved the ability to make multiple unique pieces. I loved it all but felt a little out of place, so I tried horticulture at MATC. That didn’t last long. Ultimately I finished my BFA in Printmaking at UW - Milwaukee. While there I got married, adopted a dog, had a kid, and cultivated a granite etching business.
Also while at UW I discovered Cream City bricks. Milwaukee is named the “Cream City”, not because of beer, cheese, milk, or The Bucks, it’s because of the bricks. Similar to printmaking, bricks provided the ability to make multiple unique pieces. Cream city bricks connected me to my community and made me feel like Milwaukee was becoming my home. I love cream city bricks!
After resisting for a long time, I embraced digital as a creative tool. Photoshop and Procreate have allowed me to experiment and grow at an accelerated rate. Going digital opened the floodgates, pushing ideas out of sketchbooks and into the real world. I love trying new things.
- Thank you.
"Creativity in and of itself is important for remaining healthy, remaining connected to yourself, and connected to the world."
Please reach out if you’re interested in working together - Contact.
910-818-2146
danatkinsonworks@gmail.com