Today we’d like to introduce you to Dionne Woods.

Hi Dionne , thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.

I’m Dionne Woods of The Turquoise Iris. As a multi-disciplinary artist, creative coach, podcast host, and Motivatarian, my greatest passion is helping artists tap into their creativity and find their unique voice through art. My style of painting is vibrant with movement and expressive in nature. Whether I’m painting on furniture, canvas, clothing, or anything else that sits still long enough, I adore giving new life to a forgotten gem. I am also the founder of The Turquoise Iris Journal, a magazine platform for artists to share their work and experiences. Paint Talks podcast is my weekly artist conversation with guests featured inside the quarterly Journal. My greatest goal is to show the world the combined powers of creativity and community through my creative and business retreats, workshops, and membership groups.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?

Learning to believe in myself and trust my own personal instincts has been a huge learning curve for me during my 15 years as a business owner. Challenges felt bigger and more personal in the beginning. Learning to scale used to feel like rocket science. In 2012, I started shipping my large furniture pieces of furniture all over the United States, and that did not come without many obstacles, mistakes, and worry. Anytime you’re working with the public, challenges will come that will make you question your entire purpose and vision. I’ve found that a close friend or family member can be that rock to lean on while remembering your “WHY” through the self doubt and turbulance. On the flip side of that, empowerment is there once you understand you CAN overcome obstacles.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?

I am, at my core, an artist and a proud Motivatarian. Over the years, my journey has evolved from painting online—both in real-time and through videos—into building a vibrant and supportive creative community. Today, I dedicate my time to mentoring, teaching, and inspiring fellow creatives to embrace their unique potential.

As I’ve explored new mediums and art forms, including painting on formal and wedding dresses, I’ve embraced teaching as a way to share everything I’ve learned along the way. My passion for inspiring others shines through in The Turquoise Iris Journal, my magazine. I also host a bi-weekly podcast titled Paint Talks. and stay very active across social media platforms.

I thrive on making meaningful connections—whether through video content, both live and edited, or by hosting in-person workshops and retreats across the country. These experiences, coupled with the strength of community, have fueled my confidence and deepened my creative empowerment. As a Motivatarian, I find immense joy in creating platforms that uplift, support, and inspire others on their artistic journeys. I am very proud of my willingness to play in the paint and have a deep passion for creating a space for finger painting and all the art therapy this brings.

Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?

I am a BIG reader and mostly soak up business and self-help books. Some of my favorites are The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron, 10x is Easier than 2x by Dan Sullivan, The War of Art by Stephen Pressfield, and Braving the Wilderness by Brene Brown.

My podcast is the most inspiring because of the stories told by the artists I get to meet.

My new favorite app id BigVu which is a teleprompter for content creation. It’s amazing!!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.theturquoiseiris.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theturquoiseiris/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theturquoiseiris/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dionne-woods-9b87b7232/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheTurquoiseIris

Image Credits

Matt Woods