My name is Dana Saville and I live in Vallejo California which is 45 minutes north of San Francisco. I moved to Vallejo in 2012 and this is when I realized my purpose as an artist. I am currently a full-time student at the Academy of Art University and my anticipated graduation will be 2025. When I first started painting and drawing, it became a healing activity that has changed my life forever. I have overcome many obstacles in my journey but never lost sight of my purpose as an artist. The inspiration for many of my subjects are some of the people I have met along the way and places I have been since moving to Vallejo. My photo references are a starting point for most of my work. Most of my paintings are painted in acrylic but I also use watercolors and gouache as well.

I like to paint portraits of people who are homeless because of how they are overlooked by society. I have used many of my homeless friends as models for different portraits and I like how it makes them feel good about themselves if I do a good job in capturing their spirit and likeness. I think my reason for this is because I was once homeless and I remember how art as an outlet was very healing to me and helped me to turn my life around and I want to inspire others to do the same.