Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Danita Vanhoose . We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Danita , thanks for joining us today. Can you take us back in time to the first dollar you earned as a creative – how did it happen? What’s the story?

The first real check I remember getting for my art was when I participated in a playing card collaboration instillation that took place in Portland, Or. It was hosted by Liz Cohn, and she collaborated with artists all around the world using playing cards. The diversity was beautiful , the pictures of the installation were beautiful- and it was exciting to see my name up there with hundreds of other artists. A few of mine sold, and she sent a check after the show was finished. It was exciting to think that something I made was desirable to a stranger on the other side of the country, and that by utilizing deviantart.com and the usps we would connect world wide with other artists and work together to build something inspiring. It wasn’t until much, much further down the road that I got into generation real revenue from my creations…. But but mail swaps and collaborations are at the root of my analog collage origins.

Danita , 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?

I am a paper collage and upcycled assemblage artist. Primarily all my supplies are second hand, found at flea markets, estate / garage sales or thrift stores. Surprisingly people donate a lot of strange things to me, keeping it out of the landfill and putting it to good use. I like to redistribute supplies to other local artists and schools, as well as participate in mail art collaborations and swaps. I can be found at the Second Saturday Folk Market at Sawyer Yards, Macabre Market at Equal Parts Brewery and periodically at Obscure Houston Oddities Market at Numbers Nightclub.

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

I love the idea of Upcycling, recycling, repurposing. Finding broken things and making them beautiful. A lot of what I use would otherwise end up in the trash- and being able to keep so much out of the trash by mashing it together and making something amazing make me very happy. I like to encourage others to repurpose things, and look outside the intended use and make extraordinary things out of junk.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

It is so rewarding to see the faces of people who really connect with what I have to offer. I have really found a lot of like minded people that I can relate to because of my art. Be it where I find my supplies, the different markets I display at or visit or online- I have been able to connect with so many people that I otherwise would not have talked to, being an introvert. It’s a way of reaching out, opening up, and speaking without words. And the right people always find me.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Beehivesandbouffants
• Facebook: Beehivesandbouffantsart