How Duane Hada Turned His Art Hobby Into a Business

Growing up with a constant drive to create, fueled by an appreciation for beauty in nature, Duane couldn’t stop painting and drawing.

But his rural school didn’t offer any art classes and found himself relying on his own learning and experience to perfect his art skills. He could always be found drawing on the back of his test papers.

As a son of the Ozarks, angler, and lover of all things wild, Duane went off to college to study Fisheries and Wildlife Management.

While at college, he got to take his first-ever art class. “I took a basic drawing class that changed everything for me. Suddenly, all of the fundamentals of art that I didn’t have training in came together and it all made sense and I saw real quickly that this was something I was good at and wanted to do. It was like putting gas to the fire. Off I went!”

The next question for Duane was, “How can I make a living doing art?” At the time, teaching seemed to be the way to go, and Duane studied Art Education to pursue making a living with his artistic love and ability through teaching.

Upon graduating, Duane taught high school art for 5 years. Although he loved & enjoyed it, he began to find that the daily creative drain of teaching often left him with little drive to paint his own work at the end of the day.

But it just so happened that Duane had another skill up his sleeve from childhood: angling.

Not only were paint and canvas mediums of artform to him, but also the skill of casting a fly, reeling in a trophy trout or smallmouth bass, and the enthrallment of the hunt-and-chase.

So, Duane decided it was time to begin his own guiding business.

And for 30 years, he “pushed the boat” up the river, guiding anglers, old and young across the water, finding adventure…and art. Duane started painting little scenes for his clients: scenes from the day or the fish they caught. and people loved them! He started displaying his artwork in his guide shop, and a dual business began.

Eventually, Duane decided it was time to retire from guiding and take the plunge to open his own gallery. And Rivertown Gallery was born. With his own Gallery, Duane experienced a freedom as an artist that he’d never felt before. He had the space to create what burned in his heart and the space to expand his business beyond what he ever imagined.

Once known primarily for his stunning originals & murals, he is now also known for his fish replicas, an art form he had the opportunity to cultivate as an artist and angler! Now, Duane enjoys painting custom murals, Replicas for anglers across the US, custom furniture, and more! Every day is a busy day when Duane’s creativity is on the loose.

Watch this interview with Duane about his story of turning his art hobby into his business!