We were lucky to catch up with Beth Anne Dugan recently and have shared our conversation below.

Beth, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

In the spring of 2021 I ventured on my first solo hike in the Minnesota State Parks system. I drove three hours from my home in the Twin Cities to Lake Superior. I brought my sketchbook and markers along with me and made it my goal to draw at the two state parks I visited that day. It was surprisingly difficult to pull out my sketchbook and start. I felt self conscious and vulnerable, even though there were very few people around and no one watching. I quickly sketched out Split Rock Lighthouse. As I began to draw, I felt myself calm. I remembered why I love drawing. It was a quick sketch but by the end of it I was energized and ready for more.

That was almost three years ago now. I have made it my goal to visit and sketch at every one of Minnesota’s 66 State Parks. So far I’ve reached just about 1/3 of them. I still get self conscious, especially when there are more people around watching or asking me questions about what I do. It still is difficult to start each drawing and I still feel energized each time I finish a sketch.

My work has grown over these past three years as I venture into both new parks and new mediums. This project has grown me as I approach my other artwork. When I feel anxious or concerned about a commission or new painting I’m working on, I remember what it’s like to create outdoors and approach my indoor work with the same bravery.

I think being brave is really what plein air painting is all about. Accepting that things might not turn out how you want them to, but moving forward and trying it anyway.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am a multi-disciplinary, multi-media visual artist based in the Twin Cities and Great Lakes Region of the Upper Midwest. My work is heavily influenced by the outside world and specifically the North Shore of Lake Superior and its surrounding boreal forests and basalt rock formations. I find myself fascinated with the challenge of creating within the elements and enthralled by the process of synthesizing what I create outside with what I create inside my studio. While nature has always been influential in my work I have also been drawn to architecture and illustration. As a freelance artist over the last 3 years I have painted 50+ watercolor home portraits for friends and family.

My mediums include: watercolor, drawing, oil pastel, oil paint, acrylic paint, cyanotype printmaking, graphic design, pottery, sculpture, fiber art, handlettering, photography, digital drawing.

After graduating with my AFA in Art from Normandale Community College I worked as a sign artist for 7 years specializing in hand drawn letters and retail display signage.

I first began to be serious about creating as a teenager, and soon after graduating high school decided it was what I wanted to pursue in my higher education. My favorite part of creating is the variety. I enjoy working in a large variety of mediums, including 2d, 3d and digital media. I love how each medium I use informs the next.

I have worked at weddings as a watercolor artist, been commissioned to create murals and hand made signs for events, and conducted pop up shops of my crafts, artwork and pottery. I love the variety of what I do and working with so many different individuals. It’s a joy and privilege to add my creativity to others’ lives.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

I think the most effective and healthy way to build a social media account is to be yourself. Easier said than done, but it’s the simple answer.

Broken down I think the basis of being yourself on social media is simply this: not creating for social media.

I don’t make things to post online. I make things and then post them online, sometimes. I’m honest about what I’m going through, I share what I’m working on and I share what I worked on that didn’t work out like I thought it would. Somedays I don’t share anything at all.

Another aspect of social media growth comes from celebrating others. Sharing others work and being inspired by their successes. Adding humor life and color to social media is ultimately my goal. I want social media to add to my life and ability to share what I’m up to, and if I’m doing or participating in something that keeps me from that, it’s not worth it.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

I love how creativity and art are found in every aspect of life. Good design, problem solving, artful conversations – it’s all interconnected. As an artist, everything that I do is impacted by my creativity.

The way I approach conflict resolution, daily errands, or my day job is all apart of my artistry.

The lessons I learn from painting, to be brave and problem solve mistakes and open myself up to new ideas, are lessons I need and cherish in my personal life.

Contact Info:

• Website: badartmn3.wordpress.com
• Instagram: @badartmn