About Dora Knuteson

Dora Knuteson

Artist & Designer

Dora Knuteson is an American artist based in southwest Florida. Born and raised in Wisconsin, Dora considers herself to be a multifaceted creative. Throughout school she dabbled in a wide variety of creative disciplines, ranging from ceramic sculpture to computer animation. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Parkside with a Bachelor of Art degree and spent the first decade of her career as a graphic designer – both as a freelance consultant and as the Art Director for a marketing agency. Dora excelled at logo and layout design, illustration, and capturing the essence of her clients’ brands, but she always knew there was more she wanted to do with her creativity.

Dora began painting in 2017 shortly after moving to Florida. Inspired by the pristine beaches and local wildlife, her earliest work featured whimsical beach umbrella scenes, shore birds and sea life – all things that made her happy. It didn’t take long to realize that her joyful style resonates with others. After receiving her first glowing testimonial from a new collector, Dora knew that she had found the missing piece. Today, her painting style is heavily influenced by her design background as she continues to develop her artistic voice. Dora’s work is included in private collections across the U.S. and internationally, and has been featured in regional publications including Naples Daily News, Spotlight News Magazine, Naples Illustrated Charity Register and VoyageMIA. In 2020 she was recognized by Gulfshore Business Magazine as one of 40 Under 40 Young Professionals to watch.

A lifelong love of animals inspired Dora’s dedication to environmental conservation. She proudly supports protection of local wildlife by donating proceeds from artwork collections to organizations such as Captains for Clean Water and Friends of Rookery Bay. She has also licensed her artwork to companies with similar missions, including Manatee Coffee and Leeward Look.

Solo Exhibitions

2020
Dora Knuteson in the Norris Center, United Arts Council of Collier County, FL
Save the Sea Turtles,
Rookery Bay Research Reserve, FL

Group Exhibitions

2020
Botanical, Las Laguna Gallery, CA
Quo Vadis, Van Der Plas Gallery, NY
Third on Canvas, Naples Art Association, FL

2019
Third on Canvas, Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club, FL
Tiny Art, Naples Art Association, FL
Your Choice, Naples Art Association, FL

2018
Southwest Florida Painting Annual, Rookery Bay, FL
Reunion, UW-Parkside Gallery, WI
Tiny Art, Naples Art Association, FL

2017
Your Choice, Naples Art Association, FL

Press & Publications

Gulfshore Business 40 Under 40 Award

Gulfshore Business Recognizes 40 of Southwest Florida's Young Leaders with 2020 40 Under 40 Awards

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Naples Daily News Logo

East Naples artist continues activism with new series of paintings

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Naples Daily News Logo

Naples Illustrated 2019-20 Charity Register: When the Earth Means the World

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NBC 2 Logo

Local artist finds purpose in conservation

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Coastal Breeze News Logo

Joy & Whimsy Intertwine at Rookery Bay's Under the Sea Mural

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VoyageMIA

Meet Dora Knuteson

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Spotlight News Magazine September 2019 Cover

Artist becomes a creative force for good

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NBC 2 Logo

Naples painter unexpectedly raises thousands through art for clean water fund

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Naples Daily News Logo

Naples artist paints fish in her own version of activism

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