NECEDAH -- Diane Dahl is the Necedah National Wildlife Refuge's Artist-in-Resident through November. Visitors are encouraged to talk with Dahl as she works at various locations on the refuge.

Dahl has immersed herself into the refuge to capture on canvas the autumn season in this "Sand County" preserve. "Spring and fall are the optimal times for painting the landscapes; the rich colors visible in these seasons are to the degree to which the first impression of something makes a person say Wow!," Dahl said.

Dahl graduated from University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee with degrees in fine art and business. The first part of her life she was in marketing but found she missed using her art skills. Dahl has been doing mural and interior design work for more than 15 years. Dahl resides in Mauston.

"The refuge is truly one of our area's prime, quality-of-life attractions. It speaks of why someone chooses to live in the area -- to feel closeness to nature, it feeds a primal need. I hope through my work to publicize the spectacular show of nature that is the Necedah National Wildlife Refuge," Dahl said.

Dahl, founder of Off the Wall Design, is working in the commercial market to design custom artwork, murals, signage, wallpaper and retail items. She is also working with the residential market to create hand-painted and digitally manipulated wallpaper that can be personalized with photos and hand-painted images of family members.

Writers, composers and all visual and performing artists are invited to interpret the natural history and beauty of the Necedah National Wildlife Refuge by participating in the refuge's artist program. Sponsored by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the refuge is located in central Wisconsin, and hosts a variety of wildlife such as Karner blue butterflies, Blandings turtles, wolves, waterfowl, and whooping cranes.

Dahl will present a free program at 1 p.m. Saturday in the Ellen Allan Learning Center at the Necedah National Wildlife Refuge.

Artists wishing to apply to the 2010 program should contact the refuge to obtain an application by mail at Necedah National Wildlife Refuge, Attn: Artist-in-Residence Program, W7996 20th St. W., Necedah, WI 54646 or by telephone at 608-565-4412.