Dana Trulock’s artwork on exhibit at Madison Public Library
MADISON – Dana Trulock’s respect for art originated with her father’s passion for painting, especially watercolor. Madison Arts Alliance invited Trulock for their first exhibit of art at Madison Public Library.
Trulock’s library exhibit includes 31 pieces, with 15 in the “Child of God” series. “I was very honored for Madison Arts Alliance to ask me to display my art. They do a wonderful job of highlighting local artists and teaching about the importance of public art,” she said.
As a child, Trulock would be watching TV or completing homework and hear her father ask, ‘Be still, I’m drawing you.’
“I hated sitting still but now I love looking at the moments he captured in his sketches. When my children were very small, he did portraits of them as a gift,” Trulock said. “I want to create something meaningful for people in the same way.”
Trulock pinpoints her “artist journey” to April 2019. “At a staff meeting at Asbury Church, we were asked to paint a picture of a person at our table. The resulting portrait was pretty terrible, but it sparked a great interest in portraiture.”
She found online tutorials and began sketching. Her focus was hyperrealism, specifically with charcoal and graphite.
In “The Child of God Series,” “The one titled ‘AliVal’ is the beautiful daughter of a dear friend. While creating it, I felt led to pray for her and her parents,” Trulock said.
While she worked, Trulock asked AliVal’s parents to pray over her. Trulock wants AliVal to see the portrait and always recognize her beauty and great worth in the eyes of God. “How a child sees themselves shapes who they become,” Trulock said. “I want each child I draw to know they are a beloved Child of God.”
Trulock’s visual arts are portraiture. She started sketching with graphite but didn’t like the shine of dark values. For greater depth and realism, she now uses charcoal, charcoal powder and pan pastels.
“Without a doubt, children are my favorite subject matter, but I also enjoy portraits of pets. My art . . . has become a ministry for me. Each piece is prayed over and a letter to the child is included,” Trulock said.
In lieu of payment, she asks recipients to donate to friends, Beth and Bryan Tatum, missionaries in Costa Rica through partnership with CONEXION Ministry. Another beneficiary is Royal Family Kids Camp, a week-long Christian camp for foster children.
Pinpointing her favorite creation is difficult, but her first portrait of grandson Brody has special value. “It’s a face that I love . . . and gave me encouragement to continue drawing,” Trulock said.
At Asbury Church in Madison, Trulock works as Director of Guest Services. She earned a bachelor’s degree in business after studies at the University of Kansas and University of Maryland – European Division.
She and husband Troy Trulock love to travel. They have lived in Germany and United Arab Emirates.
In recent years, “my parents and father-in-law have moved near us. For the first time, we have extended family close by, and it’s so wonderful,” she said. “My days are filled with family time, work, art and reading. I’m loving how my days are filled.”
For more information, visit madisonartsalliance.org.
