By Bonnie Gangelhoff

BORN: Oklahoma City, OK.

MOST INTERESTING THING ABOUT THE WAY YOU WORK: “My work is very seasonal. My studio is out in the back and doesn’t have very good temperature control. I am mentally seasonal as well.”

FIRST ART SALE: “When I was 16, at the Paseo Arts Festival in Oklahoma City. I sold a painting of people on a couch.”

QUIRKIEST TRAIT: “I press the snooze button to keep dreaming.”

FAVORITE STUDIO MUSIC: “I like most music where I can’t understand the lyrics and just enjoy the singers’ voices and the instruments.”

BEST ADVICE RECEIVED: “‘Try this!’—when told by any good person who knows not to stay in boundaries!”

FAVORITE ARTWORK BY ANOTHER ARTIST: “Children’s artwork—kindergarten and under. Especially when they explain it.”

NEXT BIG GOAL: “Not letting the recession keep me from traveling.”

I’LL KNOW I’VE MADE IT WHEN: “I can get a constant supply of burrata (a cheese similar to mozzarella but richer) and colatella (a type of prosciutto), and a 25-course meal at The French Laundry every season.”

GALLERIES: JRB Art at the Elms, Oklahoma City, OK; www.deniseduongart.blogspot.com.

Featured in our annual “21 Under 31” article in September 2008