Danielle Klausmeier is a Virginia-based artist originally from Carthage, North Carolina, whose love for art and the outdoors began at an early age. Much of her appreciation for the natural world was shaped by time spent with her father, who took her on countless camping trips and outdoor adventures throughout North Carolina, ranging from the southeastern beaches to the Blue Ridge Mountains. These adventures included hiking, kayaking, and cliff rappelling, and through those experiences, Danielle developed a deep appreciation for the beauty of the landscapes she encountered. When she began learning to paint, she found herself drawn naturally to the scenes she loved most—the outdoor views and landscapes that had surrounded her throughout her childhood. Landscape painting became her first artistic love.
Over the years, Danielle discovered that her favorite subjects were not limited to any one category, but were connected by something more personal: she loved painting the things that brought her joy. Landscapes, people, animals, vibrant scenes, and her Christian faith have all become meaningful sources of inspiration throughout her work. Her art is driven by a desire to capture the beauty, emotion, and character she sees in the world around her.
Danielle’s professional background has also shaped the way she observes and connects with the world around her. She first worked in the veterinary field, where she developed a deeper understanding of animals and strengthened her appreciation for the individuality and character they possess. She later became a preschool teacher, where she developed an appreciation for creativity, imagination, and the unique perspectives of children. Both experiences continue to influence her artistic perspective, particularly in her love of painting people and animals.
Danielle also finds great fulfillment in commissioned work, particularly in the challenge of taking another person’s meaningful subject or vision and interpreting it through her own artistic perspective. Rather than simply reproducing what she sees, she strives to bring her own use of color, composition, and expression to each piece while preserving the significance of the subject to the person who commissioned it.
With a background in oil, acrylic, watercolor, and gouache, Danielle has developed a versatile artistic practice and has accepted commissioned work since the age of sixteen. Now based in Portsmouth, Virginia, she continues to grow her body of work through original paintings, commissions, plein air events, and opportunities to exhibit her art. At the heart of her work is a simple desire: to paint the things that are beautiful, meaningful, and worth remembering.
Danielle shares her home with her amazing husband and their beloved collection of four-legged and scaled companions: her two dogs, Henry and Juniper; her Sphynx cat, Cordelia; and her leopard gecko, Obadiah. Her love for her family, animals, faith, and the natural world continues to be woven into both her life and her art.
