Today we’d like to introduce you to Desirae Ofori.
Desirae, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Like most artists and creatives, I’ve always been drawn to anything artistic and creative. I went to Magnet schools in Miami from 4th to 8th grade and was exposed to different forms of visual and performing arts. I always had a sketchbook, journal, or scraps of paper that I used to create drawings and designs in. However, I always thought of being creative as just a hobby, not something that I could pursue professionally and make good money. At most, I thought when I was done with college and scored a high paying job, I could go to design school and become a fashion designer.
I pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Licensed Mental Health Counseling. I practiced as a Therapist for several years. After work and on the weekends, I started painting as a hobby, then started DeKelis Art Studio in 2010. I created paintings on canvas but was mostly known for personalizing wedding aisle runners with hand painted designs. I also started a mom lifestyle blog (Sincerely, Mrs. Mommy) after my first son was born in 2015.
In December 2018, I decided to leave the mental health and social work field due to severe burnout. I was really concerned about my mental and physical health and decided to step away from my career at the end of December 2018. My plan was to switch fields for a break and pursue my art business and full blog time. It was then that I discovered a painting technique/style called Acrylic Pour. I fell in love with it and was dedicated. Countless hours, researching, practicing and honing in on my interpretation. My art has continued to evolve and improve over the last 2.5 years. Once I started to share more of my abstract work on social media, more people began to notice. Much of my success has come through sharing my work online, and others resharing it with their friends and family.
Great, 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?
The same day I left my job, that evening, I found out I was almost two months pregnant. So dealing with that shock and first-trimester fatigue was a challenge to get going like I originally planned. After having my second son, I had to balance creating art and to scale my business on one income, and also now being a full-time stay at home mom. At the beginning of 2019, I started a 100-day challenge to create and post something online every day – and that really gave me the motivation and practice to just paint whenever I could. A lot more people started to notice what I was doing and I believe that also made them take me more seriously too. Once both of my kids were in daycare/preschool, it was easier for me to focus more on artwork and the business part.
However, when COVID started in the U.S. in March, and everyone had to come back home – that was very stressful and even more challenging. Having both kids at home full time while trying to paint, fulfill commissions, custom orders, and stay on top of business behind the scenes was a struggle. However, I’m so grateful that my business was able to do so much more and better than it has since I first began. It gave me something else to focus on and stay on track. Art continued to be my therapy.
We’d love to hear more about your art.
DeKelis Art Studio creates vibrant, fluid abstract artwork for your home, office, and lifestyle. I love that my art can be viewed in a way that is uplifting, calming, and or energizing. I want that when you look at the designs that it allows you to take a break from reality. My art is like a visual playground! Just visually and mentally jump in and explore what you see, plus how you feel when you look at the colors, designs, markings, and movement of each piece. I am most known for my custom handpainted phone grips/sockets, handpainted Africa shaped earrings, and in general, creating vibrant eye-catching paintings.
What sets me apart is that I’m always looking for new ways to go beyond the canvas. I love that my art can be put on functional and wearable items that elevate your mood, style, and life. I’m also very big on customer experience and am proud of how much attention to detail that I put into every piece, from the painting, all the way to the way I package them for shipping. Everything has a personal touch and expresses my gratitude.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
That is so hard to say. There have been so many proud moments. However, I think my first proudest would be driving down to Miami to participate in the RAW Artists art show and meeting the ticket sales goals to be in it. It was my very first art show, and to do it on such a large scale, putting myself out there as an emerging artist, plus having the support of so many family and friends, really took me to another level in my mind. I was on a natural high for several days and weeks later. I’m really excited to see what the future holds for me as a professional artist.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.dekelisartstudio.com
- Email: desirae.ofori@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dekelisartstudio
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dekelisartstudio
- Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/dekelisartstudio
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