We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Dawn Campbell a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Dawn , thanks for joining us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

For as long as I can remember, I’ve had a burning desire to express my creativity. Whether I was tinkering with my dad’s drawing supplies, watching my mom work on her crafts, or writing plays to showcase the talents of my fellow artistic friends, I’ve always been drawn to the world of creativity. It’s a passion that has driven me throughout my life, and I can’t imagine ever giving it up.

Dawn , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Growing up, my parents were both creative in their own ways – my father was an architect and my mother designed clothes and was a skilled craftsperson. I was lucky enough to live within easy reach of downtown DC, where I could easily explore the city’s art galleries on the weekends. Attending Suitland’s Visual and Performing Arts High School was a highlight of my youth, as it allowed me to further develop my artistic skills and connect with other talented individuals. In my community, I was known as the go-to artist and spent countless hours working on various art projects that I found both interesting and enjoyable.

After I graduated from Suitland, my heart was set on becoming a children’s book illustrator. I pursued my Bachelor’s degree in Fine Art with a focus on Illustration at Virginia Commonwealth University. I had always been involved in a small business where I helped other creative minds develop t-shirt designs and painted on clothing and other artistic items. During my time at VCU, I explored my artistic talents further and started accepting commissions for portrait work to earn some extra cash. This eventually led to starting my own business where I created unique portrait styles for a variety of occasions like weddings, homegoing services, graduations, and birthdays. Although I ended up working as a paralegal after graduation, I never stopped creating art. In fact, even my coworkers enjoyed my work and started requesting commissions. This led to several solo art shows and opportunities to teach workshops, classes, and private lessons to young artists. I have been lucky to always be in a supportive community.

My proudest achievement as an artist has been mentoring my daughter, Nia Alexander, who is now a successful teacher, artist, and travel blogger. I am reminded of the valuable advice my parents gave me, and time they spent with me, which has stayed with me throughout my career. “ To whom much is given… much will be required…”, is what I live by.

Over 20 years ago, I had a desire to use art to help others in their journey towards healing from trauma. I began by conducting workshops and serving on the board of an art organization called Art on Wheels. The pandemic and social injustice caused me, like many others, to reflect on where my talents were most needed. I decided to pursue a Master’s degree in Art Therapy Counseling at Penn West University and am currently completing my fieldwork to become a licensed Art Therapist next year. This moment really put me in gear to make this a priority and my focus. At the same time, I began working on my dream of illustrating books. Since 2019, I have had the privilege of illustrating 4 books and 8 book covers.

When people think of me and follow my work, I hope they see me as a visual voice for those who may struggle to express themselves in a visual format. Collaborating with other creatives to tell a story or help others explore their ideas is something that truly brings me joy. My work is ever changing and is a constant reflection of my growth and journey as a wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend and advocate.

Have you ever had to pivot?

Throughout my career, I’ve found myself making pivots for various reasons – family obligations, other career paths, personal expectations, or simply because I thought it was the right move as an artist. What I’ve come to realize is that each day presents an opportunity to grow and evolve.

There was a time when I served on the board of a wonderful art organization while juggling a full-time job as a paralegal, being a wife and a mother, and pursuing my career as an artist. I remember working on a mural with other talented artists and feeling frustrated about where I fit in. That’s when one of the artists gave me advice that changed my life: to keep going no matter what, even if it was only for 15 minutes a day.

That advice inspired me to pivot and focus on what truly brought me joy as an artist. Nowadays, I may not have the luxury of spending 15 minutes every day on a big piece. However, I’ve created a journal and sketchbook that helps others struggling with the same issue come up with ideas and jot them down. It’s been a game-changer for me, too. I can always return to my sketchbook and use it as a source of inspiration for creating bigger and better pieces.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

From the very start, my artistic journey has been driven by my desire to assist and support others. Whether it’s through my commissioned pieces, where I strive to capture the essence of my clients’ visions, or through the healing art workshops I lead, where I guide participants toward discovering new ways of expressing themselves, I am always seeking ways to enrich the lives of those around me. As I embark on a new chapter in my career as a future art therapist, I am excited to continue utilizing my artistic talents to help others overcome challenges and find greater peace and fulfillment. Even in my personal life, I find joy in sharing my art with loved ones, whether it’s through thoughtful gifts or simply chatting with my 95-year-old grandmother about our mutual love of creativity.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.dawncampbellartllc.com
• Instagram: Dawn Campbell Art
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dawncampbellart/ and https://www.facebook.com/groups/becreativewithdawncampbell/
• Linkedin: Dawn Campbell