Danielle Day Damson was born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio where from an early age she received scholarships to the Art Academy of Cincinnati. She graduated from The Ohio State University with a BSID in Product Design. Recruited by a Huntsville, Alabama company, she moved here to work in product and exhibit design.

With a love of all things classical, she has co-founded Protégé Atelier in Huntsville to foster the return to realism movement. She is a Contemporary Representationalist and her subject matters range from still life, to figurative, landscape and portraiture. A noted artist and honored member of The Oil Painters of America, Portrait Society of America, National Oil and Acrylic Painters’ Society, American Women Artists and American Impressionist Society; she has exhibited locally and nationally.

EVENT: Who inspired you to be an artist?

DD: My dad was my inspiration. He was a very gifted watercolor artist. Most all children love to create, those of us who were lucky enough to have parents who encouraged our early endeavors happily carried on without fear of judgement.

EVENT: What’s the most treasured piece you’ve painted and why?DD: One of the first portraits I painted was of my dad for my mom. It’s difficult to paint someone you know and love so well after they are no longer with you. So much of your- self goes into a painting of such an intimate subject that it makes it the most difficult and yet the most rewarding.

EVENT: What’s your favorite travel destination?

DD: Africa was definitely my favorite place to visit thus far. One day you are driving to the airport and 24 hours later you are 10 feet from a wild lioness with her cubs. It’s the most surreal encounter I have ever been blessed to experience.

EVENT: Favorite Huntsville hotspot?

DD: Big Spring Park. There is nothing that lifts my mood better than walking my big fluffy dog around the springs- oh the wonderful people you meet with a big fluffy dog!

EVENT: What do you love most about living in Huntsville?

DD: My favorite thing about living in Huntsville is the small town feel with the big city amenities. In today’s crazy world, it’s a great comfort to raise your family in a small-feel community environment.