Explore Artists
Every month we will feature a different artist and explore the inspiration for their creativity and style. We shine our spotlight for April on Donna Salazar, artist, designer and teacher.
Hi, I’m Donna Salazar. I’m a wife, mom, artist, designer, teacher and kid at heart. My playful nature tends to come across in my products and classes because I believe that art should be fun; I am always suggesting that people “play” when they are crafting.
I am known for blending contrasting elements to create what I call my “Girlie Grunge” look, which is short for inky painty, glitzy & grungy. My style is especially appealing to mixed media artists; however, my love of flowers and all things sparkly seems to appeal to crafters of all types and styles.
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From a project that is on display in the Want2Scrap Expo booth. Mixed Media Playtime, Fanciful Flight, Bitty Blossoms and Labels Twenty dies were used.
| I fell in love with both art and my husband in high school. A lot has changed in the last 25 years but my love for my hubby and being an artist are still at the top of my list. What people may not know about me is that I began my career in the corporate world. I was very successful... but not happy.
In 2005 I was in the top 2% of my division at ADP and was able to go on an amazing President’s Club trip to Germany. The day after we got home I was in a serious car accident on the freeway and was on disability for almost a year. I took a serious look at my life, during this forced downtime, and came to the conclusion that I needed to make some changes. After many long discussions with my husband, we decided that I should pursue my childhood dream of being an artist.
I began working at a facility for adults with Alzheimer’s and dementia, teaching arts and crafts. I was given the opportunity to paint a mural and it turned into painting a 360 degree mural on all the walls of an inner courtyard. This led to teaching and painting murals for two other facilities as well.
Around the same time I began teaching classes at my local scrapbook store “The Red Bee” (now an online store www.shopbeecreative.com). A web show that was hosted on the Scrapbooks Etc. Magazine's website was filming at the store. I was in the scrapbooking audience creating pages while they were filming and I was "discovered." I absolutely LOVED working on the show and it was a great kick start to my career.
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It is hard work carving out a career for yourself in the crafting industry. My family sacrificed so much in the beginning (it was difficult going from a six-figure income to living hand-to-mouth) but they always believed in me. When I started licensing with manufacturers things began to look up.
The first time I met with Spellbinders to discuss becoming their very first licensed designer, Stacey and I had to convince Jeff that it was a good idea. It makes me smile when I think how the man with the crossed arms at the conference table and his adorably enthusiastic wife have become my friends and that they've made me part of their Spellbinders family.
~Donna Salazar
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From a project on my wall at home. I sued all of my flower dies: Rose Creations, Carnation Creations, Bitty Blossoms and Grand Peony Creations
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| Project from an online class that will be held in April.
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Learn more about Donna by visiting her blog at: donnasalazar.typepad.com and her website at: donnasalazardesigns.ning.com.