Often, we think of journeys occurring in a straight line, moving from Point A to Point B in linear fashion. Such was not the case with artist Wayne Dusterhoff, II. He has come full circle. In August of 2023, Wayne returned to Cut Bank to launch his career as a full-time artist and owner of 2d Art Studio.
Wayne’s artistic journey began in Cut Bank. In middle school he began taking art classes from local artist, Mrs. Lee. Her teaching style promoted inclusion of nature, proportion, and technique. Later, his high school art teacher, Mrs. Black, introduced him to the subtlety of Monet. After high school, Wayne moved to Phoenix, and he paused his relationship with art until his late twenties when was drawn back into the art world. He relocated to Tucson, Arizona where he achieved a Bachelor’s Degree in Studio Art with an emphasis in drawing and painting. For these four years, Wayne was immersed in art, studying, soaking up the Tucson art scene, and traveling to Mexico to investigate the life and work of Frida Kahlo.
Wayne eventually completed a master’s degree in art education and taught in the Phoenix school system for 8 years. During that time, he said he never identified as an artist. Something was missing. Who knew that “something” could be discovered on Main Street in his hometown, Cut Bank, Montana? Last August when Wayne and his spouse Mike moved back north, he started pursuing his dream of having a dedicated art studio, an art-themed retail space, and art classroom spaces. 2d Art Studio opened this summer in the Marketplace on Main building, a beautiful space full of talent, treasures, and artistic opportunity.
I recently took the opportunity to enjoy one of Wayne’s classes, and before the class we had the opportunity to chat. I asked him how he responds to people who look at his class offerings, and say, “That looks like fun, but I’m not at artist.” His response? “Can you put a dot on a piece of paper? Can you draw a line?” I can do both of those things, so I joyfully dove into the two-part “Bee You” collage class with Jacey and Myrna, and we had a ball.
Wayne said that generally around the age 12-14 one’s ability to see themself as an artist is somehow crushed. He feels other artist’s work shouldn’t be copied, but rather used as inspiration. He embraces this eight-part approach: develop the craft, engage, persist, envision, express, observe, reflect, understand art worlds. Wayne’s teaching style aligns with TAB, “Teaching Artistic Behavior”. While participants in his classes are encouraged to explore, he offers support, so no one is left “high and dry”.
Wayne Dusterhoff, II is a talented and visionary artist, who continues to develop his craft while he shares the importance of art with others. He understands the benefits of art as an embedded part of the school curriculum and would embrace the opportunity to be an “Artist in Residence” in the local school system. He also sees art as a path to unite our community with communities in the surrounding area, working together to collaborate, using strengths that we share.
To learn more about 2d Art Studio, follow his Facebook page and visit the website https://www.2dartstudio.com/. Thank you, Wayne, for “circling back”.
Lisa Cline
“Artist” and co-owner/manager of Marketplace on Main
13 East Main Street
Cut Bank, MT
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