Local Artist Showcased at State Park

Tettegouche State Park Support Local Art

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For better or for worse, Dale Knaffla is a professional artist.

“I’ve gotten to the point where I just paint, because if I don’t get this painting done, I’m not going to be able to pay my rent or something, ya know?,” he said.

He keeps mostly to himself at home, toiling away for hours on watercolor paintings or enamel paintings on pieces of scrap wood found in the forests near his home.

“It’s just a beautiful place, ya know, the rocks and the lake. I like stuff that you would see around here, like stuff you’d see if you were out hiking or fishing or something,” Knaffla said.

His subjects are mostly animals – wildlife that he grew up seeing around in his hometown of Silver Bay. And if you visit his home, animals can be seen everywhere, on the lampshades, pillows on the couch, or on display on the wall.

And at the visitor’s center at Tettegouche State Park, his artwork has been on display since the beginning of July.

“I brought some of my stuff down there – they have a little shop, and they all looked at it and said it was really nice. And Kurt Mead said he would be having an art exhibit for four months in the summer time,” Knaffla said.

A self–described perfectionist, Knaffla says he can get a little obsessive over his work.

“When I’m putting hairs on something. I don’t need to put the hairs in there, but for some reason I think I do. And after like a thousand hairs – my eyes are bloodshot and my hair is sticking out. Ugh. “

But when you see the result, the detail of each hair, feather, scale, and all the vibrant colors you can see the passion this artist has for his work.

“It’s kind of like an adventure while you’re doing it. It’s not always the best adventure, but when you’re done, when you reach the end, you’re like oh!” Knaffla said enthusiastically.

Dale says he got his start as a child.

“In first grade I started doing stuff and people really liked it and I did a bunch for everybody in class,” he said.

And with the encouragement of teachers and family members, he has turned art into a living.

“And it was just cool to be recognized as being able to do something better than a lot of other people can.”

And with this special exhibit at Tettegouche, the culmination of all his hard work can be appreciated by thousands.

If you would like to see more of his artwork you can log on to his website:
http://daleknaffla.com/