Our Purpose

“I didn’t know why I was drawing what I was drawing. I just liked the subject. I didn’t ask myself “why am I attracted to paint this?” and “how do I connect with it in my heart?”I began my art career as a teen and years went by. I had begun using watercolor, but it had become a routine of doing a realistic watercolor painting — I was just copying the photo. I just didn’t know what was missing. At times, realism could still feel satisfying when I received praise for it, art show patrons would surprisingly ask “that’s a watercolor painting?”, or exclaim “it looks like a photo!” But the joy of art was not there like it used to be. As the demands of needing to produce more paintings pushed me onward, it became a chore to sit down and paint — a mechanical routine, copying the photo — with no meaning, my heart was not in it. My inspiration and creativity shut down during that period. I was stagnant, tired of painting… not seeing hope.

A few years went by before joining Chris DiDomizio’s art classes. It was the beginning of rediscovering joy and finding meaning in my art. I had hope again! The art tools Chris DiDomizio taught me began an adventure of painting from my heart: bringing out emotion, a story, what it means to me. I was no longer copying photos; each painting was a new discovery of my own heart.

Why do we enjoy painting what we choose to paint? How do we connect with it emotionally in some way? When we understand why it “speaks to us,” we can use the art tools to communicate that emotion and story to the viewer. It sounds silly, but I didn’t know how exciting art could be. I am so grateful for years I’ve had with Chris DiDomizio, for reclaiming my joy in art and opening up a new world — an exciting world of discovery, of the heart, of emotion and meaning.”

— Dylan Scott Pierce

“When I walked into Didomizio’s art studio I knew I was in a real studio, not a hobby shop. The drawings and paintings I saw were student exercises completed at very high levels. I was afraid that I could never do the kind of work other students were doing. I had no formal art training. I have been to classes at SCAD, the Hudgens Center, Binders and another lesser known programs.

I can tell you that in two weeks at Didomizio’s, I had already learned more than I learned at all of the other programs combined. I doubted that I could do quality work, but I surprised myself! I have been challenged to create artwork that makes me proud. Not only have my skills improved, but so has my confidence. I am still doing exercises and I continue to learn every time I come to class. I am so glad that I found Didomizio’s. Chris does a wonderful job!”