Durango Artist is Street (Art) Smart
By AIDYN HANKINS
With at least nine art galleries and hundreds of artists in town, Durango seems like the place to be if you have an abundance of creativity. You see art everywhere in town. From coffee shops, to doctors offices, to the sides of gas stations, there are explosions of color and imagination.
But what about the hard-working artists behind the masterpieces? Dakotah Andreatta is one of those artists. Dakotah was born in 1990 and raised in various towns throughout Colorado. He now lives in Durango with his fiancee, Alethea, in their 153 square foot tiny home on Florida Road. You may have seen him around town, working as a bartender on the train during the summer months and as a ticket salesman at Purgatory in the winter.
Dakotah got into art at a very early age. When he lived in Granite, Colorado, he had an hour-long bus ride to school. “There was this kid who would draw on the bus and I remember thinking ‘I want to do that,’” he reminisced.
By the age of fourteen, he had decided that he wanted to take art seriously. “I met people that were into art and I realized that I could actually do it,” he said. Now he says that, “ If I don’t do art I get all out of sorts.”
Living in various parts of Colorado and in old towns, such Granite and Silverton, has inspired a Victorian look to some of his slightly macabre artwork. Thinking upon what inspires his art, Dakotah mentioned that he takes,“ … inspirations from all over.”
Dakotah lists famous artists such as Edward Gorey and MC Escher as some of his inspirations, alongside simple things like friends, family and and the music he listens to. “Music is good for art. I listen to all kinds of music,” he says. Graffiti also plays a big role in his artwork. Whether it’s the ghost tattoo on his leg or his street art influenced “Kad” signature, you can see notes of graffiti.
With local art shows and galleries, such as Open Art Surgery and Oscillating Dream Cannon, these inspirations really show through. Even the promotional poster for Oscillating Dream Cannon shows his inspirations through a dapper crow in a top-hat and fancy, detailed lettering.
Through his close friends’ support, the changes in their artwork and their critique, Dakotah’s artwork has moved away from,“mushy high school art,” and towards high-caliber and truly amazing pieces that are jaw-dropping. Although it’s amazing to us he says that, “I just want to make art, and I make art that I want to make.”
You may have seen his work in other places besides art shows though. For example, the side of the Everyday Gas Station across the street from Durango Natural Foods. This seasonal mural is done by a group of friends who call themselves the Society of Creative Enthusiasts. This graffiti-esque mural is done in an effort to curb vandalism in the area.
When asked about his thoughts on leaving to pursue an art career in a bigger city, Dakotah stated that, “Between social media and the internet, you don’t need to be in a big city to see art.” He added that, “ You don’t need to live in New York City to get your work recognized.”
Even though you might just see him as a bartender on the train, a ticket salesman at Purg or a simple “Kad” signature in the bottom of a drawing, he is much, much more. Be sure to look for him the next time you are in Durango Coffee Company or driving past the Everyday Gas Station.
By AIDYN HANKINS
With at least nine art galleries and hundreds of artists in town, Durango seems like the place to be if you have an abundance of creativity. You see art everywhere in town. From coffee shops, to doctors offices, to the sides of gas stations, there are explosions of color and imagination.
But what about the hard-working artists behind the masterpieces? Dakotah Andreatta is one of those artists. Dakotah was born in 1990 and raised in various towns throughout Colorado. He now lives in Durango with his fiancee, Alethea, in their 153 square foot tiny home on Florida Road. You may have seen him around town, working as a bartender on the train during the summer months and as a ticket salesman at Purgatory in the winter.
Dakotah got into art at a very early age. When he lived in Granite, Colorado, he had an hour-long bus ride to school. “There was this kid who would draw on the bus and I remember thinking ‘I want to do that,’” he reminisced.
By the age of fourteen, he had decided that he wanted to take art seriously. “I met people that were into art and I realized that I could actually do it,” he said. Now he says that, “ If I don’t do art I get all out of sorts.”
Living in various parts of Colorado and in old towns, such Granite and Silverton, has inspired a Victorian look to some of his slightly macabre artwork. Thinking upon what inspires his art, Dakotah mentioned that he takes,“ … inspirations from all over.”
Dakotah lists famous artists such as Edward Gorey and MC Escher as some of his inspirations, alongside simple things like friends, family and and the music he listens to. “Music is good for art. I listen to all kinds of music,” he says. Graffiti also plays a big role in his artwork. Whether it’s the ghost tattoo on his leg or his street art influenced “Kad” signature, you can see notes of graffiti.
With local art shows and galleries, such as Open Art Surgery and Oscillating Dream Cannon, these inspirations really show through. Even the promotional poster for Oscillating Dream Cannon shows his inspirations through a dapper crow in a top-hat and fancy, detailed lettering.
Through his close friends’ support, the changes in their artwork and their critique, Dakotah’s artwork has moved away from,“mushy high school art,” and towards high-caliber and truly amazing pieces that are jaw-dropping. Although it’s amazing to us he says that, “I just want to make art, and I make art that I want to make.”
You may have seen his work in other places besides art shows though. For example, the side of the Everyday Gas Station across the street from Durango Natural Foods. This seasonal mural is done by a group of friends who call themselves the Society of Creative Enthusiasts. This graffiti-esque mural is done in an effort to curb vandalism in the area.
When asked about his thoughts on leaving to pursue an art career in a bigger city, Dakotah stated that, “Between social media and the internet, you don’t need to be in a big city to see art.” He added that, “ You don’t need to live in New York City to get your work recognized.”
Even though you might just see him as a bartender on the train, a ticket salesman at Purg or a simple “Kad” signature in the bottom of a drawing, he is much, much more. Be sure to look for him the next time you are in Durango Coffee Company or driving past the Everyday Gas Station.