about dakota

That would be me ... Dakota. I love Massage and the Holistic Health which I also do for a living but really, my true passion is in the creation of art - watercolor, acrylics, 3D art out of found objects, furniture building, decorating, graphic design, web design, writing, etc. etc. If it can be created, I love the process of doing so.

I wrote my first story when I was 7 years old, it was a gruesome story about Big Foot and camping.

Every weekend from the time I was strong enough to move furniture (about 8 years old) until last weekend I have re-arranged the furniture in my surroundings. My friends joke they have never seen my home the same way twice. They are right, they haven't and most likely never will.

While living in Arizona I began "Art Gatherings" in which I would invite around 80 other artists to come play - we had all art mediums to participate in, a huge bon fire in the middle of the desert, drumming, food, and an incredible atmosphere of creativity. Those Art Gatherings lasted every month for 5 years solid.

I worked with an earth home builder in AZ and learned a lot about building furniture, European Faux finishes in concrete and can now create a floor that looks like genuine flagstone at a third of the cost. It's labor intensive and grueling work so I no longer wish to create such floors - so don't even ask if I would!

I also teach a variety of creativity and soulful workshops that help people find the artist within themselves. Prior to living in Arizona I never in a million years considered myself to be an artist. It took encouragement and the belief that Joanne West had in me to realize and tap into that side of myself. To this day I will always be grateful for that gift from her.

My art is fluid, it changes with each new endeavor. I tend to have a bit of ADD when it comes to my creations as well, meaning I will create something in one medium and may never return to that medium again - at least not in the same way.

When people ask me "Who are you?", I would have to say above all else, I am an artist. The act of creating touches upon every facet of my life.

• just turned 40!

• have an obsession with re-arranging the furniture in my house

• have difficulty passing up a good bargain on chairs at thrift stores

• I've lived in 5 different states (not counting the different states of mind!)

• I once found a rusted spring from a mattress in the middle of the Arizona desert and 12 years later used it in a piece of art (which sold here in Charleston, SC!)

• I can make a mighty tasty cosmopolitan!

• Although I practice Buddhists qualities of life I still will step on a roach and smash a mosquito.

• I lost most of the feeling my chin as a result of a surgery in 1983 so to this day I cringe at the idea of eating spaghetti in front of people I don't know.

• I have only worked on my birthday one time in my life.

• Blue is my favorite color.

• I will not eat blue cheese.

• My life is happy and joyful.

  Please take some time to visit my other websites (and other passions)

  Isabelle's House

  Om Body

  Powerful Women