Welcome! Thank you for visiting my online home!

I am a professional artist, illustrator, writer, and art instructor.

I grew up in sunny LA and now live in sunny Beit Shemesh, Israel, with my five kids.

I have illustrated over 40 books and created hundreds of custom paintings for private collectors, businesses, and magazines.

I also teaches online art courses and at a local art college.

My work is inspired by everyday scenes, familiar emotions, and the beauty that is all around us. I strive to creates scenes that are cozy and welcoming, at times humorous, and always compelling.

When I’m not painting or cleaning up after my kids, I enjoy drinking chamomile tea in bed on a rainy night with a good book and a purring cat. 

Reach out if I can help you with any of the following:

        • Watercolor portrait paintings
        • Pencil portraits drawings 
        • Acrylic portrait paintings on canvas
        • Book illustration
        • Book cover art
        • Children’s book illustration
        • Illustration for businesses & advertisements 
        • Illustration for websites & social media promotions

I look forward to hearing from you!

DenaArt@gmail.com

“What was any art but a mold to imprison for a moment the shining elusive element which is life itself–life hurrying past us and running away, to strong to stop, too sweet to lose.” 

-Willa Cather

Shows & Exhibits

International Watercolor Society Exhibit, IWS Israel, March 2020

Portraits Exhibit, Brick Lane Gallery, London, February 2020

International Watercolor Society Exhibit, IWS Israel, March 2019

“Face to Face” Portrait Exhibit, Israel, April 2017

“Shalom Bet Shemesh” Art exhibit (2nd place) Israel, 2013

Podcasts & Interviews

The Frum Books Newsletter: A chat about illustration, storytelling, and the misconception of medium, September 2022

“Sharpened Artist” Podcast with John Middick, December 2021

“Power your Edge” Podcast with Malkie Scholnick, January 2020

Reprehensible Digest Interview, December 2019

Boss Moms, The Mom Empire, Sept 2019

inProfile Artist Profile by Avraham Kohn, July 2019 

“Let’s Talk Torah” Podcast with Rabbi Tzvi, February 2019

“Deliberate Practice” Podcast with Jacob Rupp, February 2019

Interview with Nina Brenner, Paint Party Events, January 2019

“The Art of Dena Ackerman” Inyan/Hamodia Magazine, November 2018

“Drawn to Win” Interview with Don Victor, March 2018

“Survivor Profile” Jewish Home LA, May 2017

“Our Days” Ami Living Magazine, December 2013

“Portrait of an Artist” Mishpacha/Family First, December 2013

“Drawing Hashem’s World,” Hamodia, June 2013