Today we’d like to introduce you to Dana Mueller.
Hi Dana, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My journey as an artist has taken a few unexpected turns, but looking back, the thread connecting everything has always been a love of art and the natural world.
I studied Fine Arts at Oakland University in Michigan, where I developed a strong foundation in drawing, painting, and the traditions of representational art. After graduating, I worked in a variety of creative roles, including teaching at the Grand Rapids Art Museum and later working in an award-winning commercial art studio after moving to the Silver Spring area. Those experiences gave me a great deal of technical knowledge and helped shape the way I approach my work today, but I always knew I wanted to build something of my own.
The Roving Hare grew out of that desire. I wanted to create work that felt personal and meaningful, something that allowed me to combine my love of painting with my fascination with the natural world. Birds had always been a source of inspiration for me, and living in Maryland gave me an incredible opportunity to observe the diversity of native species right in my own backyard.
I began focusing on birds of the East Coast, creating detailed paintings that celebrate their individual character, beauty, and personality. My work is rooted in close observation. I spend a lot of time watching birds from my studio window, in my yard, and on walks along local trails. I’m interested in capturing not just what a bird looks like, but what makes that particular species so distinctive. I want the paintings to be scientifically accurate, but also colorful, expressive, and full of personality. There is something incredibly rewarding about spending hours with a subject and discovering all the little details that make it unique.
As the business developed, I began exploring different ways to share my work. Alongside original paintings, I started creating art prints, greeting cards, stickers, and ornaments. Working on wood panels and live-edge wood slices has also become an important part of my practice, allowing the natural qualities of the materials to become part of the finished piece.
One of the most rewarding parts of building The Roving Hare has been becoming part of the local arts community. I’ve had the opportunity to exhibit my work at nature centers and galleries, participate in markets throughout Maryland and the DC area, and collaborate with independent shops that share an appreciation for nature and handmade art. Seeing my work find its way into people’s homes, or hearing that a particular bird holds a special meaning for someone, is something I never take for granted.
At the heart of The Roving Hare is the belief that paying attention to the natural world can change the way we see it. Birds are beautiful, but they’re also important indicators of environmental health. I hope my work encourages people to slow down, look a little closer, and develop a deeper appreciation for the wildlife living alongside us. That appreciation can be the beginning of something bigger, whether it’s putting in a birdbath, planting native flowers, or simply taking a moment to notice the birds outside the window.
Building this business has been a process of learning, experimenting, and finding my own path. I’m grateful that I get to spend my days making art about something I care so deeply about, and I’m excited to see where that path continues to lead.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Definitely not! Being an artist and running an art business are two very different things, and I’ve learned that the hard way at times.
My formal art education gave me a strong foundation in traditional techniques, but the business side of being an independent artist has required an entirely different education. Technology has changed so much since I was in school, and I’ve had to teach myself a lot of the skills that are now essential to running a successful art business. Building a website, navigating social media, photographing my work, and learning the digital programs needed to retouch images and produce quality art reproductions have all been part of the process. There have been plenty of moments when I’ve felt like I was learning an entirely new profession on top of being an artist.
One of my biggest ongoing challenges is balancing the business with family life. I work from home, and my studio is part of our family’s everyday space. Sharing that environment with my husband and children means I’m constantly figuring out how to manage my time, stay focused, and make sure I’m accomplishing what I need to. Just as importantly, I have to make sure my art doesn’t completely take over the house! There’s a lot of juggling involved in being an artist, a business owner, and a mom.
I think one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that being a good artist doesn’t automatically make you a good business owner. You have to be willing to learn, adapt, make mistakes, and sometimes start over. I’m still figuring things out, but I’ve become much more confident in my ability to navigate the challenges. In many ways, that process of learning and growing has been just as important as the work I create.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m an acrylic wildlife artist specializing in native birds of the East Coast. My work is rooted in close observation, with an emphasis on capturing the individual character, beauty, and personality of each bird. I’m interested in creating work that encourages people to look a little closer at the wildlife that surrounds them, whether it’s a familiar backyard visitor or a species they might encounter along a local trail.
My work has evolved into two distinct but connected bodies of art. My larger paintings are often more dramatic in scale and composition. I’m drawn to striking poses, strong contrast, and the use of symbolism to explore themes of connection, renewal, balance, and the natural world. These pieces are meant to make an impact, both visually and emotionally. I want the viewer to feel a connection with the subject, not simply recognize the species.
My second body of work is more illustrative and narrative-driven, with a strong educational component. I’ve been developing a series that pairs native birds with Maryland native plants. Each piece tells a little story about the relationship between birds and their environment, and I include information about how people can incorporate those plants into their own yards to support local wildlife. I love the idea that a painting can be both beautiful and a starting point for something practical. By helping people understand the connections between birds, plants, and healthy ecosystems, I hope to inspire them to make small changes that have a meaningful impact.
One of the things I’m most proud of is making original art accessible to a wider audience. I love creating large, detailed paintings, but I also believe that owning original artwork shouldn’t be limited to established collectors. My smaller paintings, particularly my work on live-edge wood slices, offer a different way to experience and collect art. I also create cards, stickers, and ornaments featuring my artwork, allowing people to bring a little piece of the natural world into their everyday lives.
I think what sets my work apart is that it combines a strong foundation in traditional representational painting with a genuine interest in the individual character of birds and the environments they inhabit. I want my work to be visually striking, scientifically accurate, and meaningful, but I also want it to feel approachable. Whether someone is purchasing a large original painting or a small bird ornament, I hope they leave with a deeper appreciation for the natural world and a desire to protect it.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I grew up in Michigan, and I was always an artistic kid with a deep love of nature. Some of my most vivid childhood memories are of sitting on our back deck with my binder of Disney trading cards and stacks of paper, teaching myself how to draw. I was always looking for something new to make or learn. If there was a craft or art activity I could try, I was interested.
My mom and I took classes together to learn how to make porcelain dolls, and I taught myself to knit and make jewelry. I was also involved in just about every other art form I could get my hands on. I played the flute throughout school, sang in choir, and performed in school plays and musicals. I loved being part of an artistic community, surrounded by people who were equally excited about creating things, whether that was visual art, music, or theater. I think that sense of community and shared creativity has stayed with me throughout my life.
My love of birds started early, too. As a child, I had a pet Senegal parrot named Nacho, and he was a very important part of my childhood. I still attribute much of my ability to capture the character of birds to that relationship. There’s something about living so closely with a bird that gives you an understanding you simply can’t get from photographs or observation alone. I knew the feel of his feathers, the way they moved, and how his scaly feet would shift and grip whatever he was perched on.
That kind of familiarity stays with you. Even though I primarily paint native East Coast birds today, I still draw on that intimate understanding of what it feels like to be close to a bird. I think it helps me see beyond the feathers and anatomy and capture something of the personality underneath.
Looking back, I can see that the things I loved as a child, making things, learning new skills, being part of a creative community, and spending time with animals, are still at the heart of everything I do today. In many ways, The Roving Hare is just a continuation of that curious, creative kid sitting on the back deck with a stack of paper and a lot of ideas.
Pricing:
- Original Woodslice Ornaments $60
- Cards and Stickers $5
- Return (Great Egret) $2,400
Contact Info:
- Website: Www,therovinghare.com
- Instagram: https://Instagram.com/therovinghare
- Facebook: https://Facebook.com/therovinghare
- Other: https://Therovinghare.etsy.com
