Today we’d like to introduce you to Carissa Donnell.
Hi Carissa, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
To be honest I haven’t had many choices in my life. Everything I’ve done, I have done out of necessity. I’ve taken any job that would hire me, just to pay the bills. My life story, however, is not for the faint of heart. And that is a story for another time.
My art is always been something I’ve done on the side. I would only do things on occasion; sketches & Prismacolor pencil pieces. I would draw for about 3 months at a time and then not touch anything for about 6-7 months.
It was only last year that I decided to try painting with acrylic paints. In usual fashion whenever I started, I took a long break after my first piece. But as my confidence grew with this medium, I became more active than I ever have been in my entire life.
I feel as though I have hit my stride with acrylic painting as I’m able to get the rich colors I seek and the smooth blends that I desire. I am really able to get the picture in my mind out onto a canvas best with paint.
Recently I have lost my job, which has allowed me to put all of my focus into my art, for now. Of course, the highest priority is to get another job because my spouse does not believe that my art will succeed. It is difficult pushing myself through this industry and trying to make a name for myself when I do not have a single friend or family member in the entire world and the only person who is in my world, does not truly believe in me or my art.
Despite this adversity I still try, hoping to make enough of a name to make art my primary focus in life.
Being atheist, the only thing I understand is science fact, and reason. But in the last few months, I have been asked why I was doing what I was doing. It was too much coincidence for even me. So, I decided to take the leap.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Obstacles and challenges as previously mentioned are not having any family or friends.
I also battled severe depression, to almost a debilitating level. Art is the light in my tunnel that pushes me through. Seeing something go from my imagination to canvas successfully is the only thing that brings meaning.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I wouldn’t say I really specialize in anything; I actually pride myself in being able to do a few different styles of Art. I try to dabble and realism, but it ends up being more pop art.
I also like the tattoo style art with a neo-traditional Japanese influence on some of my pieces. In addition to doing Gore, and fantasy. I would say that I specialize best in vibrant colors and smooth saturation.
The thing I am most proud of though is the ability to fulfill any request, for any commission anytime. Anything one might want to see on a canvas I can put it there and make it look beautiful.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
I would regard myself as still ‘starting out’. I will be better able to advise if I am able to make a name for myself in this competitive world.
Contact Info:
- Email: dream.scythe.art@gmail.com
- Website: Society6.com/dreamscythe
- Instagram: @dream.scythe
- Facebook: Facebook.com/dreamscythe.studios/
- Twitter: Dreamscythe_art
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCjFom1-7ruOVsWXOMfzZhUg
