Today we’d like to introduce you to Debbie Winkles.
Hi Debbie, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I retired 10 years ago after having taught high school art for 30 years. I learned a lot and wanted to continue exploring art-making for myself. I’ve always enjoyed sharing my knowledge/skills with people in a setting that is fun, relaxed, and friendly. So, I realized doing paint parties might be an appropriate avenue. My first paint party was for a good friend’s birthday.
To let the community know that I was open for business, I created my website, HueArtWorks.com and reached out to local art event organizers. I explored venues for hosting paint parties and was invited by a variety of wineries and breweries to host events.
During the process of exploring various ideas, I received numerous suggestions on marketable and trending concepts. Building and maintaining this small business has offered continuous inspiration. For example, for each party that I have been asked to host, I have planned a project and presented guidelines specific to the group attendees.
In addition to working with many people in their art-making projects, I have pursued developing my marketable art inventory. This has allowed me to pursue subject matter that I enjoy painting, particularly inspiration from nature.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Fortunately, most of this journey has been very positive. My greatest obstacle to success has been my hesitancy to self-promote. I have developed this business for fun, inspiration, and to remain engaged with art. When I am not doing art or preparing for an event, I enjoy traveling and spending time with friends and family. The reality is that I do not need to maintain this business to pay bills. As a result, I have been very relaxed about putting forth effort to grow my business. But I do not turn away any opportunities!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
The past is full of answers and inspiration. There are multiple ways to express ideas and fascinations. This is what I carry with me in my teaching and artmaking. Studies from art history, written stories, and natural beauty inspire me most in my creations. For instance, I have always been awed by images from Persian art. My master’s degree involved creating works of art based on what I gleaned from studying a bit about the art and architecture of Islamic art, as well as the inspirations from Sufi poetry. Mathematical underpinnings, such as the Golden Mean, inspired the structure of my images, while writings such as The Conference of the Birds by Fadid UdDin Attar
gave me the ideas for imagery. I have also been inspired by the art of papermaking and collaging, as there are so many possibilities. What I have spent the most time working on is using paint and brushes to explore my fascination with textures, patterns, and illusions of three-dimensionality on a two-dimensional surface.
In my everyday artistic interactions with people, all of this may not be evident, but these are the pieces that have taken me to where I am.
On a practical art business level, I am always trying to figure out what might be personally important to any given individual. This has led me to many opportunities to create images for others as well as help them produce some of their imagery. As the ideas for doing paint parties evolved, I found that I did not want to offer generic imagery but rather something meaningful to each individual. As a result, I promoted paint parties that enabled each person to paint a picture of their pet or suggest any other idea that could be of value. I am interested in expanding the options. For instance, what if a group of people wanted to paint their favorite landscape based on a photo they took while visiting a special place? I have acquired skills and resources to make this possible.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
Exploring possibilities in two-dimensional art gives me continual happiness. I have done customized murals, illustrations (digital and freehand), created paper bags from old newspapers, and utilized my handmade paper to produce art and cards for all occasions. I like to explore new ideas and methods.
Pricing:
- Personalized holiday ornaments – $40.
- A 10″X10″ pet portrait – $100
- Paint Parties -$40/person
- Custom Painted Wine Glasses – $30
- Mural – $50/hour
Contact Info:
- Website: https://HueArtWorks.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hueartworks?igsh=MXhzZTVpb2NnY213dw==
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hueartworks
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/hueartworks-frederick-6?osq=HueArtWorks
