Today we’d like to introduce you to Dana Kahan.
Hi Dana, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My name is Dana Kahan and I am a fine artist living in Franklin, Tennessee. Originally from Memphis, Tennessee – I moved to Nashville in 1994 and worked as a graphic designer for a large ad agency.
I enjoyed being a designer for 15+ years and then wanted to stay home with my young daughter so I told my husband that I was going to paint art for a living. And so that part of my life was born.
I did art shows around Nashville for years and was in some retail stores and galleries locally as well. I love having my foot in all things creative so I enjoy still designing products for the stationery industry. My art is sold here locally and in Gregg Irby Gallery in Atlanta.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I would say going down this road has its learning curves but the artist community is very welcoming and some of the artists helped me out in the beginning. Telling me what worked for them and such. I think the biggest struggle early on for me was getting my foot in the door. So one day – I walked into a gallery and just started talking to the owner.
I told him I painted and he said “I’d love to see your artwork” (early on before Instagram) and so I said, “Well you can – I’ve got some paintings out in the car.” I brought them in and he put them in the gallery. I had my first show a couple of months later. You have to ask the universe for what you want, right?
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
When I first started – I was known for my abstract art using a squirt bottle full of black paint. I would paint an abstract background and then squirt a chandelier or a dancer, or anything really, onto the top of the painted canvas. It was very freeing because you don’t have that much control of the paint when it’s being squirted out of a bottle. I did that for years and then, of course, you tire of doing the same thing so I moved on to different styles. I have always stayed in the abstract realm. I wish I could be a realistic painter but that just wasn’t in the cards.
I love how color makes you feel. I love the lack of color. I love the abundance of color. I love texture, movement, and a lot of space. One piece of art can transform a whole room. When I paint, I try to inject a little bit of my personality in there so when someone connects with my work – then I’ve made a connection with them. Working with acrylics gives me the ability to build layers quickly and change directions on a whim. Then I like to add finishing touches with pencils, oil pastels, acrylic pens, collage materials… anything I feel gives the work its personality and voice.
These days – I am doing a series called “Unlocking Me” where I paint color all over the canvas, and then I will paint over the colors with a solid color revealing angular shapes of those colors. It’s hard to explain. I love the unexpectedness of it. If I try to force something – it will usually look like crap.
I think the thing I am most proud of is how I just decide to do something and go for it. I don’t wonder “Oh what if this doesn’t work” – I just start it. As I said earlier – you have to ask for the universe for it. No one is going to hand you a career.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
Never be afraid to try something. If it doesn’t work – it doesn’t work.
But you won’t go around wondering if you could have done it or not. Be adventurous! Be curious! I find that trying something may lead to something else.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://danakahan.weebly.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dlkahan
- Other: Greggirbygallery.com
