Darko launches on Facebook
HOULTON, Maine — She funnels an idea through her pencil and unto the paper. A self-taught artist, Dawn MacDonald of Darko Designs finds a satisfying inner peace in her drawings.
“I have always found solitude and tranquility in creating something entirely conceived in my imagination,” explained MacDonald.
Originally from East Providence, Rhode Island, MacDonald’s family turned in the “radical jungle-like city life” for a more “complacent and sedentary environment of northern Maine, said MacDonald, who at first found it difficult to adapt to. “Now that I’m acquainted with this town, my qualms of country life have somewhat dissipated,” she added.
MacDonald cannot recall any prior education in her art, but she has continually honed her skills through working with a family art business.
“That is where I obtained most of my skills through practice for seven years,” she said.
Since moving to Houlton six years ago, MacDonald’s presence is just now emerging.
“Not many people know me because I’ve always reclined in the shadows,” she said.
Recently, MacDonald’s creations are highlighted by clients on Facebook and many locally are intrigued with her depth and diversity of work.
“I’ve recently opened a new business ‘Darko Designs’ where I retain all rights to my work and can selectively work on projects when I am conveniently enthused for it,” MacDonald said. “Let me tell ya’, I’ve been having so much fun with this new business, there’s just so much to do!”
Since her youth, MacDonald was always captivated by “the subordinate of our perceptive reality, fantasy if you will,” she explained. “Throughout kindergarten into high school, I was ostracized by my classmates. I have learned to adapt to the inner realm of my lonesomeness, which ultimately allowed me to sink into my fantasy world.
“From there on, I started to discover that I loved creating artwork,” she added. “Picking up a pencil and sketching most of my time, and admiring cartoons and fantasy movies influenced me create even more.”
MacDonald sketched dragons, cartoons, landscapes, cars, creatures, and even wrote stories that would evoke a certain sketch to be drawn.
“I find a sanctuary within myself when I birth a piece of fantasy from my mind onto paper, which in turn is enjoyed by viewers,” said MacDonald. “I like to illustrate either scenes or singular subjects onto a harmonious background.”
But, depending on her artist “mood,” MacDonald sketches therapeutically or if she is feeling daring, she expands her skillset by painting with traditional mediums like spray paint, airbrushing or the archaic form of paintbrush and paint and explore with different canvases.
“There was a monumental time back in October of 2015, where I had an ecstatic time painting a vicious eagle on a friend’s black Jeep hood,” MacDonald recalled. “I’d love to embark on more projects like that this summer.”
MacDonald is a free spirit, who loves molding art in various avenues.
“There are days where I want to sculpt something out of metal, and days where I want to paint on walls or automobiles,” she said. “My true specialty though, is digital illustration art, which is where I am most nimbly skilled.
There is nothing more exciting and meditative than drawing on a Cintiq 24HD screen computer tablet, which is essentially an oversized iPad-type contraption, where you have a stylus and screen to draw on,” she explained.
She also does straight portraits not just all caricatures.
Most of MacDonald’s days are consumed with blasting music and “taking the world by storm,” she said. “Nothing has been more satisfying than running my own business at my own pace — to soak in the enthralled reactions of happy customers.”
Interested viewers can see MacDonald’s designs on her personal Facebook page Dawn MacDonald or her business Facebook page Darko Designs.
“I post a lot of goodies on there, so don’t be afraid to like or add either page,” she said. “I have created numerous amounts of artwork for companies, small businesses, and even Disney and Ford. A lot of my artwork can be spotted in Google images as well, since I’ve been strongly prevalent on the Internet for seven-plus years.”
MacDonald’s business operates by appointment either through chatting in person or online through text.
“I also discuss projects with customers via phone calls,” she added. “Whatever is most convenient for the customer, is what works for me. If a reader viewing this article is interested in commissioning artwork from me, I assure you, you will not have a sliver of disappointment. I will jolt you with bolts of sheer awe and satisfaction!”
MacDonald can be reached by calling 207-554-6588.
