the artist

My name is Kristen Juengst Donato. I was born and raised on Long Island in New York. Inspired by my mother, also an artist, I have been involved in the arts all my life.  A graduate of F.I.T. in New York City, I majored in graphic and package design.  With more than seventeen years in the design industry creating brand development, packaging and logo design, I decided it was time for a change and felt the need to get back to my fine art roots.

Growing up near beaches and the ocean all my life, (I was not only born into, but married into a boating and fishing family), my love of nature and the natural elements have become the focus of my art. My fascination with Gyotaku, the ancient Japanese method of ‘fish rubbing’, has set me on my path. Many classes and years later my passion has come to fruition in Sunset Design Studio. My attention to perfecting the techniques of this ancient art form can be seen in the detailed images I produce.  Along the way I have developed a profound and deep respect for the life forms that come to us from both the sea and on land. Fish, crustaceans, sea shells, plants, trees, wood- all are beautiful.