Bio
Taryn Okesson b. 1982
Taryn Okesson is a visual artist from the Marquette area of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. She earned her BFA degree with a Concentration in Electronic Imaging from Northern Michigan University in 2009.
Okesson and her husband continue to live in the Upper Peninsula, but began traveling the country by truck and camper in late 2019. It was these experiences on the road where Okesson was able to hone in on her artistic voice. Okesson was singularly inspired by the deserts of the southwest.
Prior to traveling, Okesson was involved with the Marquette Artist Collective, she had an active role in the Collective’s activities and their dedication to opening The Gallery downtown Marquette, MI. During her time with them she planned exhibits in The Gallery and around Marquette.
Okesson joined the Lake Superior Art Association and participated in her first member show in 2023, receiving a Second Place Award. Okesson attended Art on the Rocks in 2023, her first juried art fair, and received the Invitational Award to return in 2024.
Okesson was one of the artists working on Mia Tavonatti’s Power of Words mural in 2020. Prior to that Okesson volunteered to paint The Mondrian Garage mural as part of an effort to bring more public art to Marquette.
This winter, 2022-2023, Okesson was a guest artist at Zia Gallery and a featured artist at The Center Gallery in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico.
Okesson would like to continue to grow into her creative practice through new experiences and find more opportunities to connect with other artists, artist communities, art fairs, collectors and galleries.
