We were lucky to catch up with Dionne Woods recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Dionne , thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

I’ve always been a creative person but didn’t completely dive in unapologetically until life forced me to take the risk on myself. After working years to build the dreams of others, I was led to make some hard decisions and make a bet that I could create a living on my own creativity. My driving force was of course, my sons. My husband recently became self employed as well so we knew it was the two of us, which felt it was literally us against the world. It just takes a spark, though, to get the flame burning.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Hi, I’m Dionne Woods! I’m an artist, business owner, and creative business coach. In my work, I use signature layering and blending techniques to create one-of-a-kind statement pieces. I also offer professional tools, custom wearable art, paint workshops, and online communities designed to elevate and amplify artists from all backgrounds. I especially love my work as a creative coach encourages artists to embrace the things that make them unique and translate that into art. I am most proud of my creative community we’ve built together. I have witnessed professional & personal growth among this group of ( mostly ) women that inspires me daily.

As part of my mission to empower creatives, I have launched Paint Talks, a podcast designed to share the true, inspiring stories of creatives from all walks of life. I also founded The Turquoise Iris Journal magazine, a print & digital magazine by and for creatives, filled with tutorials, step-by-step projects, and powerful messages of community and hope. I believe innovation is the single most important aspect of any creative business. The ability to not only trust your creative process but follow through until you see results you love is what sets artists apart from another.

I live with my husband, sons, and sweet pup Abbie in beautiful Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. When I’m not traveling the US to help artists awaken their creativity, I spend my time at the ballpark to watch my boys play!

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

My mission as a creative business coach is to empower my fellow creatives with teaching them tools and giving resources they need to sustain a profitable career. Our mindset has been and will always be a creative’s biggest obstacle. My tagline is. “If I can, you can”. I believe we can help each other to creative freedom by sharing our highs and lows, in a safe a effective way. That is the community I have build and continue to nourish every single day.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

Society can best support artist and creatives by accepting art as a livelihood for entrepreneurship. We can reshape the traditional mindset of art as a hobby and create more acknowledgment and understanding the great talent involved with handmade goods. Shopping local and buying custom made wares is on the rise once again. Modern media has already accepted creatives as a valuable role in society but the traditional mindset still needs some re-framing.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.theturquoiseiris.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theturquoiseiris/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theturquoiseiris
• Twitter: @TheTurquoiseIris
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBCs9i_M-XYjgZYiBfxGWCA
• Other: Pinterest – https://pin.it/5SHWomZ Dionne Woods / The Turquoise Iris TikTok – @TheTurquoiseIris

Image Credits
Photo credit to Michelle Replogle.