Welcome! I am a painter of the landscapes and lakeshores of Michigan. I paint both in my Okemos, Michigan, studio from my own photographs, and En Plein Air (outdoors). I paint mainly in acrylic and watercolor, capturing the sense of place and moment. I have also done many commissions and love to collaborate to create the perfect painting of a special place--check out my commissions page here for examples and Contact me at [email protected]. I'd love to hear from you!
I also have an Etsy site: Sleeping Bear Damstra if that is more your preference.

Carolyn Damstra is a native Michiganian and has traveled extensively throughout North America and abroad. An award-winning Plein Air artist, Damstra has participated in numerous solo and juried state and regional exhibitions, and was selected as an Artist in Residence at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. Recently, several of her paintings have travelled internationally as part of the Art In Embassies Program, U.S. Department of State, to Fiji, Serbia, and Belgium. Damstra holds a BFA in studio art and an MA in art history, both from Michigan State University.  

"You capture the beauty and grace of Michigan in a way that makes me feel connected to the trees and shorelines and waters of my home state. Your art speaks directly to the soul." -S. C.

​​All content on this website is the property of Carolyn Damstra and is protected under United States and international copyright laws.  The images shall not be reproduced, stored or manipulated, in any manner, without the express written permission of the artist.