Diadem Studio
Welcome
There is something wonderful about holding original art in your own hands. I've often purchased art to inspire me, or to instruct me in my own journey as an artist, or to simply give as a special gift to someone I love. After two years of producing my own YouTube tutorials on How to Paint Dot Mandalas, and over a million views, it is time to open a store for those who would like to own a dotted stone or canvas. I hope that you will find something here that brings you joy and stirs the inner child deep in your soul that still yearns to explore... and to create.
There is something wonderful about holding original art in your own hands. I've often purchased art to inspire me, or to instruct me in my own journey as an artist, or to simply give as a special gift to someone I love. After two years of producing my own YouTube tutorials on How to Paint Dot Mandalas, and over a million views, it is time to open a store for those who would like to own a dotted stone or canvas. I hope that you will find something here that brings you joy and stirs the inner child deep in your soul that still yearns to explore... and to create.
How it all began...
Since I was a little girl, I have collected rocks. My parents were both public school teachers and the only vacations we could afford were camping at the state parks. We spent our time beach combing, exploring trails through ancient rain forests, and reading books by the campfire. I had a special box in my room for the small stones I brought home from these trips. This is a legacy that I have passed on to my own five children. Our homeschooling adventures have always included treasure hunts in the woods, hiking in the mountains, and looking for strange and wonderful stones along the sea shore.
Adventure turns to art...
On a camping trip two years ago, my daughter found a perfectly round stone that she wanted to bring home and paint. We found some wonderful dot mandala designs online and decided to give it a try. It was such fun that we decided to make a YouTube video about our new hobby. It took a lot of trial and error to figure out the right tools and paints and patterns, but after studying dotilism work done by Elsbeth McLean and Ginger at Traveling Kindness Rocks, it all started falling into place. After purchasing more rocks from a local landscape supply stone yard, I began to practice every day and..... eventually discovered my inner artist.
Once I was really hooked on dotting, I began trying more complicated mandala work on stretched canvas, Christmas ornaments, and furniture. I joined the Whatcom Art Guild and was introduced to dozens of other artists in my area who create and market their original work. This lead to a year-long presence in the Whatcom Art Gallery and Gifts where I had my own 10x10 booth among 35 other vendors. I also participated in art shows and holiday festivals, and learned how to set up a booth on site. It is a lot of work to do a weekend show, but the electric atmosphere of vendors, customers, music and food is absolutely delightful.
My YouTube channel "How to paint dot mandalas" began as a way to document my attempts at learning this style of art. Two years ago, there really weren't any step by step tutorials, and I had a lot of questions. I designed my tutorials to help other people who also may have the same questions. It was important to me that this was a free service, that it was encouraging, and that it would be of practical help. The channel took off before I knew it. My son came into the living room one day and showed me how many views I had and I could hardly believe it. I hadn't even checked because I didn't know how to.
Since then, I have tried to listen to my subscribers, and create new tutorials with their suggestions and comments in mind; Questions about tools, and types of paints, where to find good stones, and how to fix mistakes. As the questions kept coming in, I decided to start a Facebook page dedicated to my subscribers so they had a better way of contacting me, and also a way to share their own tips with other dotters.
We have learned so much together! It is a wonderful and supportive community where we share freely and cheer each other on, instead of seeing each other as competitors.
Since then, I have tried to listen to my subscribers, and create new tutorials with their suggestions and comments in mind; Questions about tools, and types of paints, where to find good stones, and how to fix mistakes. As the questions kept coming in, I decided to start a Facebook page dedicated to my subscribers so they had a better way of contacting me, and also a way to share their own tips with other dotters.
We have learned so much together! It is a wonderful and supportive community where we share freely and cheer each other on, instead of seeing each other as competitors.
