Senior Dana Colston is an avid member in Lovejoy Visual Art and mentor for the program. She recently was recognized for the highly competitive YoungArts competition with distinction, attending YoungArts Week in Miami.
Colston’s work focuses on her experiences and struggles with chronic illnesses, taking a more conceptual approach to the topic. Her passion for textile led her to begin taking commissions around the community, eventually starting her own business last September.
“Dana’s work ethic is so insane,” senior Amelia Elliott said. “She pulls up to class when I haven’t even started my piece, and she’s already on her next one.”
Colston began her business as a way to pay for the annual art trip to Spain. With the trip totalling around $5,000, she wanted to find a way to contribute.
“I needed to raise money to go on the Spain art trip, because it’s really expensive, and I wanted to help pay for it,” Colston said. “It’s my senior year, and I would love to go on this trip with some of my best friends. I have also never been to Europe, and I am so excited to explore and see all the art.”
Colston began her business in September, putting up posters all around the school to advertise her work as well as promoting it on instagram. The goal of the business is to make a significant amount of money to help pay for the trip.
“So far, I have made around 15 commissions,” Colston said. “I first talk to the customer and see what they want, and then I come up with the design and run it by them. Lyla Fairchild’s order stands out to me as the most fun for me to make because I simplified the design of a monster drink and got to embroider on it.”
Dana creates these commissions whilst simultaneously working on her own body of work in AP Drawing.
“Her business has grown immensely in a small amount of time,” Elliott said. “It is amazing how so many people from different groups support her. The plushies help people create mementos for the people that mean the most to them.
Colston offers custom plushies ranging from $10-$40 based on size and content. She encourages customers to check out her art instagram @danaart27.
“Dana is one of the most inspiring people I know,” senior Caroline Matthews said. “She is always working hard to achieve her goals and is able to tackle many things at once. I ordered a custom plushie of my dog, Betty, and she came out so cute. I was especially impressed with the quality. As someone who has made a few plushies myself, I would definitely order from Dana again. And the best part is- I get to go with her to Spain. If you are needing a personal gift for anyone, or yourself, I cannot recommend Dana’s Custom Plushies enough.”
