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

Stephanie , appreciate you joining us today. Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?

My journey to becoming an Art teacher has definitely not been typical. It’s been a long refining process for me and one that required lots of bumps and twists to finally find my confidence with my talent.

When I was younger, I loved anything that had to do with Art. I loved drawing, painting and coloring. I started Art lessons when I was just 4 years old from a neighbor who had transformed her garage into an Art Studio. I took lessons from her for several years and then enjoyed Art classes throughout middle and high school. When it was time to start looking into colleges I had my eye set on the Art Institute of Chicago but when I went for a visit I froze. There was no way I could attend such a prestigious Art school. There was no way that I would ever be good enough to surround myself with such talented artists. So, I backed away from a dream, fear won out and I took a different path.

I ended up going to a small private Christian college and studied Psychology with a minor in Sociology. As I approached graduation in the Spring of 1999 it was clear that my acquired degree would limit my opportunities but I didn’t have a desire to further my education beyond my bachelors degree. So, I started painting children’s murals on the side to supplement my time and earnings. Fast forward and life took many turns, expected and unexpected. Painting murals had just become a fun, and therapeutic, hobby for me.

In 2017, I was contracted by a Goddard School location to paint and refresh some murals around their classrooms. One day as I was painting a young girl and her Mother stopped to watch what I was doing. We started chatting and the little girl was so intrigued that I was painting directly on the wall of her school! She told her Mom that she wanted to be an Artist just like me. I had never thought of myself of an Artist that someone would actually inspire to be so it was a very sweet remark for me to hear. The next day her Mom stopped to say hello and then asked me an interesting question, “Have you ever taught Art lessons?” Would you be interested in teaching my daughter?” I was honored but quickly told her that I did not have an Art degree. She said, “Oh I’m not worried about that! My daughter just loves Art and I think she would love having some lessons.” I was super excited about it but that fear bubbled a bit…would I be good enough to do this?

I started teaching her individual Art lessons at her house. Her Mom would pull out a little table and I would prepare different lessons each week. We had a blast! So much so that her younger sister began getting jealous so she soon joined us. Then as word got around, I began getting calls to do individual Art lessons for other kids.

As much as I enjoyed it, my own family was growing and I was finding it hard to balance a schedule to accommodate teaching alongside my kids and all of their activities. When I shared this with the Mom that sparked this new venture she suggested offering group lessons. It was definitely an interesting idea.

That next Summer I shared on social media that I would be opening up my home for some Summer Art camps. I cleared out our toy room and set up a big table. I only had space for 10 kids but when the word got out, the camp filled up. So I offered two more camps and those filled up. Then I offered two more, and as crazy as it was, those filled up too! I felt I had tapped into a well needed market for our area. Organically, my love for Art and teaching was setting that fear and lack of confidence right in the time out corner.

My Summer Art camps were such a hit that I added some Winter Art camps. My Stepdad poured his own talent and skills into finishing our basement so I could have a space and an actual Art Studio that kids could attend. Then 2020 hit.

As the year unraveled in many ways my husband and I went through a season of enlightenment which subsequently led to us pulling our children from the public school district. We had lots of time to reprioritize some things within our family and our decision to redirect our children educationally was not taken lightly. What can only be explained as God-ordained events for us, we found an experienced teacher that was starting his own school. We jumped on board and never looked back.

Within this new school the headmaster learned that I taught some Art camps and even had a studio at home. He asked if I would lead an Art program for the school and what started as an individual Art lesson for one sweet little girl years ago soon turned into a newfound profession of being an Art teacher. I was teaching Art classes for all ages, Art camps over school breaks, hosting birthday parties, Moms wine and paint classes and opening up my studio weekly for kids to have a space to create and use their imaginations.

I may not have taken the path to Chicago but I have gained so much experience and ultimately found my true niche. Sometimes people don’t find their true passion or use their God-given talents so I feel very blessed that these doors have opened. The reality is I still do have to check my fear and comparisons at the door but I know now without a doubt that the fear is not debilitating. It’s a drive…a push. I know that God has created something special for myself and for my students and I do not take any of it for granted.

Art is an expression of thought, feelings and uniqueness and the process for Art can be different for everyone. I often share with my students that Free Art opens the door to a fun and vibrant imagination and whether I am teaching a lesson or just giving them space to create I absolutely love seeing my students take pride in their artwork. I may have taken the road less traveled to get to where I am at but I’m grateful for the journey and the many stops, starts and lessons along the way. I can honestly say that I feel as if I was created for this and I absolutely love what I do!

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I am a Mom of 6 kiddos that found and leaned into her true passion a little later in life! I have my own Art studio in my home where I provide many different opportunities such as Art classes for all ages, Art camps when schools are not in session, homeschool Art classes, Mini-me toddler Art classes, birthday Art parties, Moms wine and paint classes, Parents Night Outs…just to name some of the many activities that I offer in my studio! I am very proud of the space that I have created for children of all ages. I have created my own age-appropriate curriculum that continues to evolve and grow. I love giving kids the opportunity to gain an appreciation for Art at a young age and to tap into their own uniqueness and processing.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

I think too many times society and/or government entities try to put children in a box. They are taught to think a certain way, do things a certain way, take the path that is marked out in front of them alongside their peers. The truth of the matter is that we all learn differently. We all process things differently. We all have different interests and experiences and childhood is the perfect time to engage in opportunities of exploration. If kids are given a box full of gadgets and supplies we should not expect that the outcome is going to be the same if we allow each of them to use their imagination and their own creativity. It’s like looking at cloud formations. One student may see an elephant spraying water and yet another can see a whale swimming in the ocean. We shouldn’t demean a child or question their perspective but yet ask further questions to gain an understanding on their insight. We can learn so much from children too and in the process we need to encourage children’s developing mindsets and uniqueness. We also should not expect that they have to attend college to be great as some talents, interests and skills are best served in a trade or other settings. I think the best thing we can do in society is to not only hold children accountable but to provide opportunities for them to find their own unique passion and calling and when that happens, provide support and resources for that particular child’s learning and own journey.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

I love those ah-ha moments! Those moments that a student gets so excited to learn a new skill or when they are so proud of their art work. I say often to my students that their work may not, and should not, necessarily look like their neighbor’s work as we all have our own styles and learning curves. I have had several parents share with me over the years that their children’s demeanor changed when Art was introduced to them. That their children became joyful and excited to attend class because they had found a place and space that allowed creative expression without the worry of a mess. Sometimes the biggest messes can create the best message.

Contact Info:

• Facebook: Steph’s Studio…a place where kids do Art!
• Other: Email: [email protected]

Image Credits

Professional picture of myself; taken by Maggie Docking