Mural wall by Dawn
Today’s creative mom has her toe in several pools. A painter, writer, graphic designer and mom – this gal is constantly on the go! I hope you enjoy getting to know Dawn as I have.
H: How long have you been doing what you do?
D: I am a run a New York based decorative painting business called Surfaces with Paint and have been in business for 7 years. I just recently started my virtual assistant business called DPK Virtual Assistant Services and have been at it for about a year. I also have a graphic design business called DPK Graphic Design. I have been dabbling in graphic design for quite a few years. My specialty are blog graphics such as custom headers and buttons.
H: What do you like to create?
D: I like to create beautiful spaces in my client’s homes with paint. My favorite rooms to paint are baby nurseries and children’s rooms. There is nothing like seeing the expressions on their cute little faces after a job is complete.
I also enjoy creating graphics for websites and blogs. It is truly an art taking a client’s ideas and turning them into something special.
I also enjoy creating crafts with my children. I don’t always have the time to devote to crafting as I would like, but I enjoy sitting down with my 3 & 4 yr olds and creating fun pieces of art with whatever I find in the house (paint, buttons, ribbon, etc).
H: How did you get started? Are you finding success?
D: I started painting (faux finishing & mural painting) after a friend of mine had shared with me about her brother’s faux finishing business out of state. She said that she would love for us to go into business together – and so we did! She wound up moving and I took over the business on my own. My painting biz is up and down, especially with the economy, but it is really hard work, so I don’t mind it. I think I would get burnt out if I had a painting job every week.
My virtual assistant and graphic design businesses are doing really well. I have been working really hard at networking through social media sites like Twitter and the like. It has been a wonderful creative outlet for me. I get so excited when a new client emails me with a fun project.
H: Were you creative before you had children?
D: Yes, I was. But now that I have children, I feel even more passionate about it.
H: Have your methods changed?
D: My methods change as I grow and learn. I don’t ever want to settle for the same old way of doing things. Creativity takes time and practice. It takes preparation and planning. And as I move forward in all of my businesses, I am always open to becoming even better than I was yesterday.
H: How do you find time to stay creative?
D: I am so fortunate to be able to be creative every single day, because I do it for a living. Because I am a mother of 3 little ones under the age of 4, I probably would not have much time otherwise.
H: Do your kids show any creative spirit?
D: Yes they do! They love to draw and paint and create things. My son is extremely articulate. He colors perfectly in the lines (when he wants to). My kids are still young yet, but I do see creative spirit in them. My son USED to say that he want to paint like mommy, but now he wants to be a fireman and a snow plow driver and my daughter wants to be a princess….. so we will see.
H: What have you learned after having your kids?
D: I have learned to take it easy and stop being such a perfectionist in my work. Children are so resilient and it has brought a freedom that I feel when painting a child’s room. I feel the joy and energy and I have started to paint even better than I did before – probably because I am painting now with love in mind.
Dawn can be found all over the web! Check out her blog and say hi.
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Thank you so much! I am honored for this opportunity to be included on your site!
DAWN
@PainterMommy