Today we’d like to introduce you to Brooklynn Bolton.
Hi Brooklynn, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I grew up in a loving and supportive Christian home with my Mom, Dad, younger Brother, Nana, and Papa all in the same house in Little Elm Texas. I was encouraged in anything I wished to pursue as a kid, and art was my favorite subject in school. When in college, I would often take art classes more than once. Not because I failed the first time, but because I had so much fun, I wanted to do it again! I loved being around other creatives and spending time in the art studios.
The other wonderful thing I got to find in college was my husband. God has provided for me in every season of my life by way of a loving and supportive partner. I married Hunter Bolton in August of 2016 and Together we have weathered many storms since then. We adopted and raised his younger half sister after one year of marriage, both while still in college. We suffered three misscarriages, and endured many ups and down with my mental health and autoimmune disease. All the while, I was blessed to continue to do what I believe God created me for, and make beautiful art that speakes of what He has done in my life.
after Hunter graduated with his Engineering degree, we moved to Wichita Kansas in 2019 and I began working at an art education program in downtown. I learned I enjoy teaching art just as much as I enjoy making it. To this day, I spend time coming up with art lesson plans. In 2023 we were blessed with our first son Fisher and moved back to Texas to be closer to my family. Recently I hosted a workshop at our local church in the Colony that involved watercolor painting and prayer. I am so encouraged in the Lord when I get to lead others in fellowship with Him through creative practices
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
God has blessed me with the ability to express His goodness and my experiences with Him through painting. In 2021 I had my first miscarriage. It was one of the most painful and faith shaking experiences of my life. However, a rich and wonderful season of creating came with it. I grew closer to God and created an entire exhibition on God’s sovereignty in miscarriage called “From Beginning to End” That I presented in downtown Wichita at the CityArts building. Many women that came to the show were able to share about their own experiences with loss as well. It was crazy to discover that so many women had experienced miscarriages, and yet it is rarely discussed.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
When it comes to fine art, my visual style is very Eastern. I love studying Chinese and Japanese works and art history. I have always had a big heart for the Asian community. My favorite medium to paint in is watercolor and ink. I like not having complete control of what happens and I feel a strong conection with water as a theme in my life. I like to blot wet into wet, and layer once its dry. My favorite brushes are caligraphy brushes because there are so many variations of line to create with just one brush. I will usually begin with a lot of color everywhere and then block out the forms into something recognizable with black, brown, or Paynes grey linear elements.
I also work as a freelance illustrator in my spare time. My most recent work was a set of digital illustrations that resemble stained glass for a childrens book soon to be published by Christian Faith Publishing. I tend to take jobs that speak to me on a spiritual level, and the story of the book was about a young shephard who witnesses the birth, death, and reserection of Christ.
In everything I create, my goal is to honor God and serve and uplift others. that is why I sign everything with my logo D.O.K. which stands for Daughter of the King.
How do you think about happiness?
I am happiest when I get to watch God work. Like getting to watch a lightning storm, or witnessing a friend overcome something that looked impossible but then God showed up and saved the day. Those moments remind me who is in control and that I can rest in the knowledge that He is good. A sip of Boba tea to go with this doesn’t hurt either.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.dokarchive.weebly.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/d.o.k_art
