Dana Fruetel

Signature Member - International Society of Scratchboard Artists Marketing and Newsletter - International Society of Scratchboard Artists Newsletter - Iowa Artists

I have a BA in Business and worked in that field for many years. Later in my life when I had children and began working in the schools with Special Needs children in order to work in the school schedule to spend more time with my own children. Then I was forced to stop working due to a disability and found my way back to the art I loved as a child. That was 9 years ago. I now spend my time working on my art and volunteering with art groups. Art is what I surround myself with. I classify myself as a scratchboard artist. I was attracted to this medium 13 years ago because of the dramatic contrast that can be achieved. Before scratchboard, I was a graphite artist but often became frustrated by not being able to achieve the deep blacks I desired. Since I discovered this medium in 2013 it’s been my main focus. Scratchboard is not a fast medium and larger pieces will often take me a month to complete. I usually work 4-5 hours a day at my studio at the Art Center in Newton, Iowa. I also work in Gouache and Oil Pastels. There are many times I just want to have fun with wild designs and colors. These two mediums help me do that and they don’t take forever to complete. During the winter of 2020, I published my first children’s book ( I am the writer and illustrator). In 2025 I completed a small poetry book. Currently, our artists come together not only from Vernon County, but from Crawford, Richland, La Crosse and Monroe counties as well. The “Neighborhood” show at Viva Gallery is a small sampling of work by the present Wednesday painters group, who remain committed to art, community and observation.