Scandia artist Andrew Knudson creates custom paintings on feathers, wood and buffalo skulls.
Scandia resident Andrew Knudson has been drawing since he was a small child. It is all he can remember ever wanting to do.
After high school, he earned an art degree from North Dakota State University and from there his career took off. He prides himself on never having had a “real” job. What keeps Knudson flush with customers? It’s not what or how he paints, but rather the surface he chooses to paint on.
“I grew up in North Dakota and drew inspiration from what was around me,” Knudson said. “I started doing western art. I painted horses and cowboys and things like that. Then one day I noticed some feathers lying around my studio.”
On a whim, Knudson painted a Native American design on one of the feathers. His art began to progress from there. Currently, Knudson creates custom works of art on feathers, leaves and dried buffalo skulls, among other things.
Knudson believes that it is his attention to quality and his commitment to satisfying patrons, not just his unique choices in canvas, that makes his work stand out.
“I don’t think it is just the medium that attracts people, but also my attention to detail and the intricate nature of each piece I create,” he said. “I am not the first person to paint on a feather, but I believe the quality of my work speaks for itself.”
Knudson travels to approximately 12 art shows per year in an effort to show off his work.
“When I am out meeting people at the shows, they are always curious about my style and they want to know how it is done,” he said. “The shows are less about selling and more about advertising the fact that I do custom work. I will pretty much paint anything anyone wants.”
Among the things that Knudson has painted on feathers are portraits, houses, buildings, pets, windmills and even an oil pump. Aside from his feather, leaf and skull work, he also creates everything from general paintings on canvas to murals on building exteriors.
“I think wildlife will continue to be a theme for me as it has been what I have known from the beginning,” Knudson said. “However, any artist’s work is constantly evolving, and I am definitely open to exploring other ways to express myself through my work. Who knows what the future holds?”
More examples of Knudson’s work as well as his contact information can be found at www.plainsperspective.com.