Gray Duck Art pushes EVERYONE to get creative. We inspire creative confidence, spread art opportunities around the world, and believe we are ALL artists. Our team is full of amazing and unique artists that create outlines for anyone to create a masterpiece.
MADDY DEPAUL
I own Gray Duck Art, a local art company in the Twin Cities. I grew up in Apple Valley, Minnesota and went on to pursue a degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in art from The University of Wisconsin-Stout. Now my husband Tim, son Lewis (2), black lab Maggie, and I live in Chaska, Minnesota.
Ever since I was a kid anything artsy-fartsy and hands-on was my jam. Owning an art business has been a lifelong dream of mine. When I was a kid I would go around selling arts and crafts to neighbors and friends and now I am so grateful to be able to send art projects all over the country.
I believe we are not losing our creativity as we grow older, but we may be losing some creative confidence, so I continue to push myself and the world to find the energy and space to get creative.
When I am not creating art or teaching, I enjoy cooking, scuba diving, golf, and breweries.
RUBY THOMPSON
I put together the mail-order pet kits at Gray Duck Art. Every week I convert your pet photos into ready-to-paint canvasses, mix up paints, and send them out to animal lovers around the world!
I grew up in the Twin Cities, and moved away to Olympia, Washington to attend The Evergreen State College. I received a visual arts degree in 2016. After graduating, I returned to Minnesota to pursue my dream of doing art for a living, and found Gray Duck Art!
When I’m not working on pet portraits, I’m busy embroidering, playing board games with friends, sketching plants at the Como Conservatory, and chilling with my two cats.
KRISTEN GEARY
I am the first person on the team to see all the cute pet photos! I format the photos for the artists to make your kits. I also run all of the behind the scenes logistics for our events.
The Twin Cities was my first home, although I spent about half my childhood in Indonesia. I got an Art Education degree at Bethel University in 2012, and a MFA from the University of New Mexico in 2020. I am passionate about the new dimensions that creativity can open up in all of us.
When I'm not working on orders and events for Gray Duck Art, I love being outdoors, reading, and making treasure hunts for my nephews and niece.
VIOLETA ROSTEIN
I am a kit creator for Gray Duck Art, working to convert your pictures into paint by number canvases, mixing together paints, and mailing them out for you to bring to life!
I was born in Bahia Blanca, Argentina and moved here as a child with my family. I grew up in the Twin Cities where eventually I received my BFA in Illustration from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. I currently work as a freelance illustrator and my work promotes community involvement through art, as well as emphasizing the importance of nature & animals.
When I am not creating kits and making art, I’m baking too many sweets, taking long walks to obsess over all the birds and dogs I pass by, and being generally nerdy about any number of things!
HANNAH NAMES
I create and put together paint by number kits at Gray Duck Art. Every week I draw pet portraits onto canvases, mix together paints, and pack it all up to be shipped to cute animals (and their humans too).
I've lived all over the States, but spent most of my life on a ranch in the central valley of California. From there I moved to the coast to pursue an associates in art before transferring to the Minneapolis College of Art and Design where I currently study. Animals have always been a big part of my life, and I love combining that with my love of art.
When I'm not making kits (most likely with a cat on my lap) I'm working on my own art, reading a book, drinking copious amounts of tea, and spending time with my friends.
SARAH BEDNAREK
I am a teacher for Gray Duck Art classes in the Twin Cities! I am a crazy canine & kitty lover, so helping you turn your pets into art is my pleasure.
I grew up in a suburb of the Twin Cities, studied Agricultural Communication & Marketing at the University of Minnesota and currently work full-time as a Web Content Professional for the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. I also own a small Etsy shop and have been a painter as long as I can remember. Gray Duck serves as the perfect combo of my two loves: art & animals!
When I'm not working or creating, I love kayaking, yoga, gardening, spending time with my husband & family, and cuddling my two feline gals, Lillian and Bug!
GWENDOLYN GLESSNER
I’m a kit creator for Gray Duck Art. I render your cute pets into easily paintable kits! I then mix all the paints and pack it all up and ship it right to you. My favorite part is when I get to custom mix paint to match your kitties’ eyes!
I was born and raised in southern Missouri, and moved to Minnesota to attend Minneapolis College of Art and Design. I’ve now lived here for almost 10 years. I’ve always been a big animal lover and enjoy getting to combine my art interests with my love of cute critters!
When not making kits, I work at a local children’s theatre, attend theatrical shows, or am out seeing as many movies as possible!