MUSICIANS JANEY KATZ - Zia Publishing

On a typical workday, Alaina Dunivan deals at closerange with giant worms and insects, wild primitivemammals and carnivorous birds with teeth. On days when she is able to get awayfrom the creatures, this 22-year-old often finds herself surrounded by militarytanks and machine gun emplacements. What’s more, she enjoys every bit of it.This is the fantastic world of the Karen Carr Studio, where Alaina and ownerKaren Carr produce huge, photographic-quality murals for top museums andinstitutions around the country. Two years ago, Alaina brought her considerableartistic abilities to the studio for a six-month tryout. She never left.As a child, Alaina regularly accompanied her mother, farrier Tammie Baker, towork shoeing horses. This gave her a thorough knowledge of mammaliananatomy, something she uses often in her artistic vocation. Since no one has everactually seen a prehistoric animal, Karen andAlaina must rely on skeletons, researchand their own knowledge of biology tocreate images of these extinctcreatures. They use computers intheir work, but like other tools,computers cannot bestow artisticability on those who use them. Theresults will only be as good as theartist.A mural project can take from oneto four years to complete. Amongother venues, the studio has workon display at the Smithsonian andAudubon Museums. Karen andAlaina are currently working onthe “Price of Freedom” exhibit forthe U.S. Marine Corps at Quantico,VA and illustrating books onnatural history.“Alaina is the kind of person youcan point toward something andwalk away,” says Karen. “You don’thave to stand over her shoulder. Shegets it done.”AlainaDunivanMURALISTPHOTOGRAPHY COURTESYALAINA DUNAVANYour age? – 22.Were you born inGrant County? Didyou grow uphere? – I wasborn in SanDiego. Wemoved herewhen I was sixmonths old. Mygreat-grandfather was a copper andgold miner at the Royal John Mine here.When did you first become interested in yourfield? – I’ve always been interested in it.At what age did you decide to pursue thisprofessionally? – After graduating fromhigh school.Do you feel growing up in a small town wasan advantage or a disadvantage to yourcareer? – It was an advantage. You learnhow to talk to people. My mother runsher own business, and I was never inday care; she always took me with her.You can learn a lot at the hitching rail.Many performers and artists never receivewidespread recognition. Did that bother you,starting out? – No. I just like to do it.Who have been sources of encouragementas you’ve pursued your career? – Mom andKaren taught me. My mom has alwaysbeen an artist.Is there someone in your field who youparticularly admire? – Karen, John Gurcheand Mike Casaus. Mike was my artteacher at Silver High School.What are some changes you’ve noticed inyour field since you started out? – I’vebecome a better artist. I’m better atnoticing things.What do you hope to accomplish from thispoint forward? – I’d like to become betterknown and add to my own portfolio.What do you like most about what you do? –Drawing animals.What do you like the least? – Maps andperipheral graphics.Do you ever get discouraged? What do youdo about it? – Yes, everybody does. I justattack it harder and try to get it right.How long do you plan to continue yourcareer? – As long as I can.Has it been worth the dedication and hardwork so far? – Yes. I can’t put it intowords.If you could do life over again, what wouldyou do differently? – Have more horses.What do you enjoy doing when you’re notworking? – Riding, photography, packinginto the wilderness with my husband,Cory, and our horses.Are there any words of experience you’d liketo pass along to young people who mightdream of doing what you’re doing? – If youhave the ability and enjoy it, try andpursue it.www.ziapublishing.com – 35