About Me

DANA PETTIT


Dana is a Nashville-based professional artist known for her Fine Art and Abstract Expressionism. Her artistic journey began at the American Academy of Art in Chicago, where she dedicated herself to studying and painting the human figure daily. She later expanded her craft by spending two summers in France, where she trained under several masters to explore and perfect traditional techniques.

Initially drawn to realism, Dana created numerous realistic portraits, but it was the idea of painting a portrait of Jesus that set her on an entirely new path. Raised in the Catholic faith, Dana found herself deeply curious about God, Jesus, and faith, yet unsatisfied by the answers she had been given. The creation of her first Jesus portrait marked the beginning of a profound and transformative artistic journey, leading her to explore themes of spirituality and faith through her work.

Dana's artistic career has taken her across studios in Chicago, Paris, and beyond. Along the way, she met and married her husband in Nashville, where they now raise two young children—whom she considers her truest masterpieces. It is in Nashville that Dana continues to develop her series, combining her personal experiences and artistic evolution to create work that resonates with meaning, reflection, and spiritual depth.

ARTIST STATEMENT

When we give God our undivided attention, we begin to live at a pace that is peaceful, fruitful, and deeply meaningful. Our days no longer feel wasted or in vain; instead, they become living testimonies to His greatness. This way of life is not just sustainable—it is life itself, guiding us toward eternity. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we are granted a clarity and wisdom that surpasses anything we could achieve on our own.

For me, painting became a deeply personal journey of connection with Jesus. Each brushstroke was an opportunity to reflect on His voice, to imagine His laughter, and to draw closer to His presence. My studio became a sacred space where creativity and prayer intersected, allowing me to commune with Him in a profound and intimate way. Experimenting with various artistic styles was not just a creative exercise, but a way to deepen my understanding of visual communication and to express the wonders of His love and grace. Through my work, I strive to capture the essence of this spiritual connection and share it with others.

A THANK YOU NOTE:

This 12-year journey has truly been a labor of love, and it would not have been possible without the incredible village of people who have supported me from the very beginning. You know who you are, and I am deeply honored to have such a talented, generous community surrounding me throughout these years.

Your contributions—whether big or small—have made a profound impact on my work and have blessed me in ways I can't fully express. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for your unwavering support, encouragement, and belief in me. I am forever grateful for each and every one of you.

With sincere appreciation,

Dana

 

Baroque portrait at the Keep A Breast fundraiser event in Nashville, TN. Oct. 2021

 

FUN FACTS

    • This painting's story began in a tiny art studio in Chicago’s West Loop. It started at a modest 24x36" size, but God led me to scrap it and go BIG— to 40x60"!
    • The very first piece took a loooong 10 months, with 10-15 hours a day, but every second was worth it.
    • This series marked my FIRST time diving into several of these art movements including Cubism, Surrealism, Dadaism, Abstract art and more. Up until this series, I always knew exactly what my painting would look like in the end... so these new styles were a bit strange at first! But soon enough, I was hooked on the absolute joy of painting intuitively, especially with Abstract. Now, I have an entire Abstract collection! 🙌
    • The very first painting (Baroque) made its way to London, to compete in the prestigious National Portrait Gallery annual competition. Unfortunately it was not selected in the end.
    • Back in 2014, I launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund this project, and thanks to all the amazing support from around the world, I raised over $16k! I was beyond elated and felt so loved.
    • Here's a fun one: The German Expressionism portrait? Painted in ONE hour flat! Check out the time-lapse video to see the magic unfold. ⏱️🎥
    • While working on the surrealism painting, I was pregnant with my first child!
    • As my kids grew up, they unschooled a LOT of the academic training I had and taught me how to really have fun and be playful with the creative process.
    • And when it came to the Pop Art piece, I honestly struggled for months on what direction to take. I even had a focus group to help! After toiling away for 8 months, the perfect vision finally landed.

 

Follow along with project truth on facebook and Instagram: @DanaPettitArt