All about me, Darla Dixon
Welcome to my total ego gratification page.
You know you've hit the big time when you can write a page about yourself. LOL!
One of the things that defines me, I think, is that I enjoy a wide variety of things. Even in art, I do enjoy working in different mediums and styles. I love a challenge. I'm a mom and I take pride in taking care of my family. I'm a homebody at heart, but if you talk me into leaving the house, I will have fun once you pry me away! I like to help my friends. I enjoy photography, scrapbooking, and genealogy.
I'm frugal but still like the nice things in life. I like keeping up with the news and I enjoy keeping several blogs about my local area. I'm an information junkie, so here's the information about me.
Just promise that you won't snore....too loudly.
You know you've hit the big time when you can write a page about yourself. LOL!
One of the things that defines me, I think, is that I enjoy a wide variety of things. Even in art, I do enjoy working in different mediums and styles. I love a challenge. I'm a mom and I take pride in taking care of my family. I'm a homebody at heart, but if you talk me into leaving the house, I will have fun once you pry me away! I like to help my friends. I enjoy photography, scrapbooking, and genealogy.
I'm frugal but still like the nice things in life. I like keeping up with the news and I enjoy keeping several blogs about my local area. I'm an information junkie, so here's the information about me.
Just promise that you won't snore....too loudly.
What's in this page...
- My Art Pages on Squidoo
- Find My Art
- Where to find me - Social & Networking Sites
- Atlanta Art Examiner articles I've written
- Interviews
- The Semi-Accurate Story of My Life
- My Groups
- What's my blood type?
- Favorite Websites
- My Blogs and Writing
- Charities I Support
- Other Squidoo Pages by Me
- Politically...
- On Religion...
- Pet Peeves...
- Favorite stuff...
- Follow my updates on Twitter!
- My Art Blog Feed
- Drop me a line!
My Art Pages on Squidoo
- Pencil Portrait Business Advice Lensography - Resources for Artists
- This page is the main reference-starting off point, if you want to see all my pages regarding starting and maintaining a pencil portrait art business.On this page I have included all the links to the pages I have created on Squidoo that relate to having a pencil portrait art business...
Find My Art
I do primarily pencil portraits drawn from my client's photographs, but I have also had the honor to illustrate some books.
- My Main Pencil Portrait Website
- Pencil portraits drawn from pictures and photographs in graphite pencil. I maintain my own website.
- My Gallery on Art Wanted
- Darla Dixon Portrait Art & Illustration
22 Sub-Galleries - Darla Dixon - Fine Art America Portfolio Profile
- FineArtAmerica portfolio
- Coroflot - Darla Dixon's profile
- An employment community for designers: Make an online portfolio to promote your work. Browse portfolios or post design jobs.
- ComicSpace - ddixonart's Space
- ComicSpace portfolio
- My Etsy Shop
- My shop on Etsy. Etsy is a great site featuring only handmade items. It's full of trendy stuff, except for my shop, which leans more toward traditional style of art.
Where to find me - Social & Networking Sites
I am a member of several networking websites, and here's the links to my pages on those. There are really too many to be able to have the time to network or be social, but hope springs eternal.
- My LinkedIn Page
- My page on LinkedIn.com
- My Ryze Page
- My page on the Ryze networking site.
- My Ecademy Page
- Ecademy networking site - it is largely UK based, so I am not very active in the networking but I have a page. It's rather out of date I'm afraid.
- My ArtScuttlebutt Member Page
- ArtScuttlebutt.com is a website developed by Art Calendar Magazine. It works very much like a MySpace for artists, publishers, and gallery owners to network.
- Darla Dixon | Facebook
- Here's my Facebook fan page for my business, Darla Dixon Portrait Art and Illustration.
- MyArtFriends - Darla Dixon's page
- This site is new, and it's a lot like MySpace, except it's for artists.
- MySpace Page - Darla Dixon
- Here's my MySpace page. I'm waiting for my coolness factor to increase just because of it. Hasn't happened yet, but you never know!
- Twitter / DarlaDixon
- Twitter is a free social messaging utility for staying connected in real-time
Atlanta Art Examiner articles I've written
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byInterviews
- Darla Dixon Talks About Staying Motivated
- Today I had the honor of interviewing Darla Dixon, portrait artist and illustrator. I've known Darla for years. I've even used her services. One year, I needed an art project for a potential book cover-a book...
- Interview with Darla Dixon, Pencil Portrait Artist - Associated Content
- Interviewed by A. Hermitt for Associated Content.
- Darla Dixon: Pencil Portraits
- Interview with YourOnlineBizStory.com
- Women Turning Passion Into Profit: An Artist Profile | All Diva Media Blog
- How women turn passion into profit. Interview from March 25, 2009.
The Semi-Accurate Story of My Life
I was born on a hot July morning in 1965. I weighed over 10 pounds at birth. I have photos of myself as a one week old baby in the crib, and I look like an 8 month old baby.
For most of my life, my father was a real estate agent, and my mother was a homemaker - although she also had a real estate license and she did work for the family real estate business too.
Most of my growing-up years were spent in Michigan. Our neighbor had a combination tennis court/basketball court and a large mowed field that I was allowed to use, so I spent a lot of time in sports. I attended a Lutheran school from Kindergarten until 8th grade.
I was on the basketball team and the volleyball team.
One summer, I attended a volleyball camp and I learned a wicked overhand serve that helped our team win a lot of games!
I went to Henry Ford II High School in Sterling Heights Michigan for two years of high school. My father was hired by an aerospace company in Savannah Georgia so we moved to Savannah. I finished my last two years of high school at a Christian school in Savannah. I received the Art Award of the school that year.
My first job was during high school, as a Christmas seasonal employee at J.C. Penney. I sold a lot of shoes!
I attended college at Armstrong State College (now Armstrong Atlantic University.) I attended about two years there, but I really didn't really have goals, so I didn't know what I was there for. I met my husband at college, and we got married. That was the end of college for me. I joke that I received my 'MRS' degree there.
While in college, I also worked in the Library. Before getting married, I was hired by Waldenbooks. I ended up being promoted into management, working for Waldenbooks for 11 years, in different locations.
I had fraternal twin daughters in 1993. The varied retail schedule makes it hard to have daycare, so I worked as an office manager for an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. I was deluded in thinking that I would get ahead by working full time in an office and having the kids in daycare. I learned a lot in the job, so I don't regret that, but I do regret having my daughters in daycare. That's a period of time that I will never get back with them.
I also worked for a sign company. I worked in the customer service department first. I usually know how to help customers, but I was totally lost in that position. I never felt that I knew what I was doing, although they said I was doing fine! Then I worked as an order proofreader for the company. I enjoyed that because I felt more confident that I knew what I was doing was correct, but it was boring work after awhile. An opening suddenly occurred for Personnel Coordinator. I had always been interested in personnel parts of my job as a manager, so I took the job. I learned a lot in that position - mainly I learned that a company can't have only one employee handling the payroll, benefits, and review scheduling for 140 employees! A person will burn out from that very fast.
Then I worked for a gynecology practice. Again, lots of good experience, but too much work for one person. It was during this time that I started drawing some portraits and getting paid for them. I loved it. I realized I could stay home with my kids, and it was very fulfilling to create the portraits.
It was very scary to quit the day job, but I am glad every day that I did.
Were the jobs a waste of time? Not at all. I learned so much from every job - and I put it all into use. I learned a lot about myself, too.
For most of my life, my father was a real estate agent, and my mother was a homemaker - although she also had a real estate license and she did work for the family real estate business too.
Most of my growing-up years were spent in Michigan. Our neighbor had a combination tennis court/basketball court and a large mowed field that I was allowed to use, so I spent a lot of time in sports. I attended a Lutheran school from Kindergarten until 8th grade.
I was on the basketball team and the volleyball team.
One summer, I attended a volleyball camp and I learned a wicked overhand serve that helped our team win a lot of games!
I went to Henry Ford II High School in Sterling Heights Michigan for two years of high school. My father was hired by an aerospace company in Savannah Georgia so we moved to Savannah. I finished my last two years of high school at a Christian school in Savannah. I received the Art Award of the school that year.
My first job was during high school, as a Christmas seasonal employee at J.C. Penney. I sold a lot of shoes!
I attended college at Armstrong State College (now Armstrong Atlantic University.) I attended about two years there, but I really didn't really have goals, so I didn't know what I was there for. I met my husband at college, and we got married. That was the end of college for me. I joke that I received my 'MRS' degree there.
While in college, I also worked in the Library. Before getting married, I was hired by Waldenbooks. I ended up being promoted into management, working for Waldenbooks for 11 years, in different locations.
I had fraternal twin daughters in 1993. The varied retail schedule makes it hard to have daycare, so I worked as an office manager for an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. I was deluded in thinking that I would get ahead by working full time in an office and having the kids in daycare. I learned a lot in the job, so I don't regret that, but I do regret having my daughters in daycare. That's a period of time that I will never get back with them.
I also worked for a sign company. I worked in the customer service department first. I usually know how to help customers, but I was totally lost in that position. I never felt that I knew what I was doing, although they said I was doing fine! Then I worked as an order proofreader for the company. I enjoyed that because I felt more confident that I knew what I was doing was correct, but it was boring work after awhile. An opening suddenly occurred for Personnel Coordinator. I had always been interested in personnel parts of my job as a manager, so I took the job. I learned a lot in that position - mainly I learned that a company can't have only one employee handling the payroll, benefits, and review scheduling for 140 employees! A person will burn out from that very fast.
Then I worked for a gynecology practice. Again, lots of good experience, but too much work for one person. It was during this time that I started drawing some portraits and getting paid for them. I loved it. I realized I could stay home with my kids, and it was very fulfilling to create the portraits.
It was very scary to quit the day job, but I am glad every day that I did.
Were the jobs a waste of time? Not at all. I learned so much from every job - and I put it all into use. I learned a lot about myself, too.
My Groups
Organizations and Groups I co-moderate and other groups that I have started or run.
- Soldier Portraits
- Soldier Portraits is a group of Portrait artists offering no charge original portraits of military personnel who gave their lives in Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom.
- Women of Gwinnett Business Group
- We have so many great offerings. Please look on our website first before shopping elsewhere. Buying from our members will help real families! The Women of Gwinnett business group was started a few years ago...
- Professional Pencil Portrait Artists
- A group I started for pencil artists to chat and share information. Join us even if you don't have a pencil portrait business yet.
One of the Books I've Illustrated
Available on Amazon.com
What Really Happened During the Middle Ages: A Collection of Historical Biographies
Amazon Price: (as of 07/12/2009) 
What's my blood type?
I believe in giving blood when I can.
Visit the Red Cross website at GiveLife.org to locate a blood drive in your area.
Oh, and my blood type is O+
Visit the Red Cross website at GiveLife.org to locate a blood drive in your area.
Oh, and my blood type is O+
Favorite Websites
I like to visit often!
- e-mealz
- E-mealz has simplified my life and given me more time to do what I want to do! (They give you the menu and the grocery list for whatever store you want, and it's REAL edible food!)
My Blogs and Writing
- Artist's Life Blog
- I have had this blog for several years, and need to decide whether it's going to be day-to-day goings on, or if it's going to be all about art. It is a mish-mash of whatever.
- Quick n Easy Recipes
- I was going to start storing my recipes in Word, and then I realized I could just create a blog for my recipes, which would allow me to share my recipes and search for them by topics. It was a blog born out of necessity to compile easy recipes. I decided to get other work at home moms in on the act, inviting them to submit recipes in exchange for a link in the blog.
- Women of Gwinnett
- This is a blog I work on with a friend of mine, to promote members of our women's networking group. We do it all for free. It is to promote members of the group, but also to share good business articles that pertain to women entrepreneurs.
- Darla Dixon Associated Content Articles
- I have written a few articles that have been published on AssociatedContent.com
My Portrait Art Fundraising
I like to give back to worthy causes by offering a portion of portrait sales to organizations to have as a fundraiser.
- Peach State Sheltie Rescue
- Peach State Sheltie Rescue of GA came to our dog's and our family's rescue when we had to give up our dog due to some dominance and stress issues he had. I think it's a great organization. I donate $20 of each custom portrait sold to this cause. If you would like to place an order and have a portion go to this cause, just let me know.
Charities I Support
You can give in lots of ways besides money. If you don't have cash, then you can donate your time to sort food at your local food bank. You can buy food for your local food bank when it's on sale and with coupons, so it costs very little. For example, I was recently able to donate 8 packages of blueberry muffin mix to the food bank that only cost me 5 cents each after the sale price and coupons! Here's how to use coupons for charitable giving.
Give your time at the animal shelter. Donate some household goods to the American Kidney Fund or another charity you like. Many will come to your house and pick up the items. They resell them and that's how they raise money.
Why not create a Squidoo page like this one (free) to promote your favorite cause or charity? For example, the last charity listed here is the page I created here on Squidoo to promote the Southeast Gwinnett Cooperative Ministry food bank. So you can visit that page to get some ideas.
Click here to start building your free pages on Squidoo!
Finally, to find a charity you like and to check on how much of what you donate actually reaches and helps others, see CharityNavigator.org.
Give your time at the animal shelter. Donate some household goods to the American Kidney Fund or another charity you like. Many will come to your house and pick up the items. They resell them and that's how they raise money.
Why not create a Squidoo page like this one (free) to promote your favorite cause or charity? For example, the last charity listed here is the page I created here on Squidoo to promote the Southeast Gwinnett Cooperative Ministry food bank. So you can visit that page to get some ideas.
Click here to start building your free pages on Squidoo!
Finally, to find a charity you like and to check on how much of what you donate actually reaches and helps others, see CharityNavigator.org.
- Modest Needs
- Dedicated to helping people with unexpected financial emergencies.
See Modest Need's Rating at Charity Navigator - AADD | Atlanta Alliance on Developmental Disabilities
- Atlanta Alliance on Developmental Disabilities.
- American Cancer Society
- American Cancer Society
- American Kidney Fund (AKF) - a Fund for Kidney Patients
- American Kidney Fund is a voluntary kidney foundation providing financial assistance and health education to people with or at risk of kidney disease.
- United Methodist Committee on Relief
- A very high percentage of donations goes to help people who need it. See rating
- Southeast Gwinnett Co-op
- The Southeast Gwinnett Coop is part of the Gwinnett Cooperative Ministry and is working to make a difference for families in the Southeastern part of Gwinnett County.Laura Drake became the new Director of the Co-op on July 31, 2008...
Other Squidoo Pages by Me
- Squidoo : Lensmaster Page of Darla Dixon
- All the Squidoo pages I have created. Some better than others, some serious, some good for a laugh!
Politically...
I call myself a Darladixonitaricanishismist
Define Darladixonitaricanishismist
When I analyzed it, it seems that I am a Centrist with both Libertarian and slight-Conservative leanings. But it depends on the issue and the person. I vote based on the person, and not by party affiliation. I realize I will rarely find a candidate that I agree with 100% on everything. I vote for the candidate that I think will be best for the country, not just for me. I read and listen to political viewpoints from many different sources. I think it's a mistake to only listen to Conservative talk shows or to only to read Liberal websites and blogs. It's good to read and hear as much as you can from the Right, the Left, and in-between. I think if your political views should naturally shift and grow every decade or so. It's good not to be too rigid. I'm getting a headache now.
When I analyzed it, it seems that I am a Centrist with both Libertarian and slight-Conservative leanings. But it depends on the issue and the person. I vote based on the person, and not by party affiliation. I realize I will rarely find a candidate that I agree with 100% on everything. I vote for the candidate that I think will be best for the country, not just for me. I read and listen to political viewpoints from many different sources. I think it's a mistake to only listen to Conservative talk shows or to only to read Liberal websites and blogs. It's good to read and hear as much as you can from the Right, the Left, and in-between. I think if your political views should naturally shift and grow every decade or so. It's good not to be too rigid. I'm getting a headache now.
On Religion...
I was raised and Confirmed as a Lutheran, but as an adult I have been a United Methodist. I don't believe that because I am Christian that I am perfect -- exactly the opposite. I share my faith when people want to hear about it, but I don't force it on anyone. I believe God is with us everywhere, he doesn't just visit us in the church building. However, I think membership and fellowship with a congregation is important to feel connectedness. I think people worship and know God in their own way. I think that denominations are unimportant. I don't think God cares if we are Baptist, Methodist, Lutheran, or Catholic.
Pet Peeves...
in no particular order
When people have been talking on cell phone while driving, so they have no idea when it's their turn at a 4-way stop.
When people stop to chat in the middle of a road or a parking lot and are completely oblivious that they are inconveniencing other people.
People who are constantly in crisis mode, and they put themselves in crisis by their decisions in the first place.
Materialistic, snotty people on reality shows. Actually this counts as 2 pet peeves...one of the people and one for reality shows.
Whiny people who blame exterior things and people for their life problems, when their own attitude is really the issue.
When people stop to chat in the middle of a road or a parking lot and are completely oblivious that they are inconveniencing other people.
People who are constantly in crisis mode, and they put themselves in crisis by their decisions in the first place.
Materialistic, snotty people on reality shows. Actually this counts as 2 pet peeves...one of the people and one for reality shows.
Whiny people who blame exterior things and people for their life problems, when their own attitude is really the issue.
Favorite stuff...
People who are optimistic, and always have something nice or encouraging to say to others -- and it's genuine.
Going for a walk with my 5 year old son when he finds a coin or some other treasure on the ground, and seeing his pleasure from a simple thing.
A product that is really, really well made.
A close parking spot opening up right when you need it.
Making all the green lights!
Companies that are ethical.
A guy opening and holding a door for me and I sense that he is really happy to do it, not doing it out of guilt.
The Darla Dixon Internet News Feed
There are other Darla Dixons out there, so who knows how accurate this will be, but it should be fun.
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byFollow my updates on Twitter!
- DarlaDixon
- aka Darla Dixon
- 1,451 followers
- 1,288 following
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- I need to channel the spirit of Mrs. Cleaver and parent/clean now. Everybody, have a great day, you have really brightened mine
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- @lameymacdonald what I'm working on now requires drafting/perspective and I never took drafting so it's a challenge
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- @lameymacdonald Client who is now a friend, yes. :) I will probably do some more for her
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- @lameymacdonald twitpic seems to be having issues, this link might work for a bit http://twitpic.com/a5762
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- @lameymacdonald Working on some projects that require lots of composite, layout, and thinking. I probably over-think & make things harder
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Hey, why not create a page like this about you? Make a page about everything you care about! Have fun. Click here to start building your own free Squidoo pages. (ps, you can also make money!)
ddixonart wrote...
in reply to marlae You're welcome! You're gonna be a great Squidoo lensmaster!
Posted June 30, 2009
marlae wrote...
Thanks Darla for stopping by my lens, and thanks for leading me to squidoo. Have a wonderful Week,
Marla Ellis
Posted June 22, 2009
