Meet Danielle M Chery

We recently connected with Danielle M Chery and have shared our conversation below.

Danielle M, thank you so much for taking the time to share your lessons learned with us and we’re sure your wisdom will help many. So, one question that comes up often and that we’re hoping you can shed some light on is keeping creativity alive over long stretches – how do you keep your creativity alive?
I keep my creativity alive by remaining curious about life, the world, and nature. There’s always so much to learn, and that feeds my creative process. As long as I’m keeping an open mind and remaining a student of life, that energy extends into what I’m able to create. I have a passion for exploring the world, and I feel the most alive in nature’s wild spaces, surrounded by trees, water, and animals. The discoveries are endless. Whenever I’m experiencing a creative block, I’m reminded to rest or go outside. Typically, I’ll either go for a walk around Brooklyn or take in the new scenery of another country. These explorations remind me that the possibilities of creativity are endless. I keep my creativity alive by wondering and wandering.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I developed a passion for painting in 2012, and nearly 10 years later founded my company, DMC Original Art. Originally, when I began, I would paint abstract designs on canvas, and over time expanded into creating functional art. One of the first functional items I painted were coasters. Since 2021, DMC Original Art coasters also known as “co-stars” have become a top selling product, followed by the Brooklyn-inspired “Spread Love “heart-shaped jewelry dishes, and an array of rotating serving trays. It’s a lot of fun when people experience seeing the rotating trays in person, because they automatically say, “Oh, it’s a lazy Susan!” I love being able to add a modern twist to vintage-like objects.

I turn to painting as a form of moving meditation. It becomes a safe space for me to go within and express myself freely.

My inspiration is drawn from the unrestrained and vibrant flow of nature. I work with an abstract technique referred to as “fluid art,” using soft-body acrylic paints and epoxy resin to create marble-like designs. Every piece of art is meticulously handmade, lending an exclusive essence to each creation.

I speak a lot about my process and inspiration on my blog. This past year, I’ve been going on a color journey where I decode colors used in my artwork. One of the colors you’ll notice most in my pieces are blues, greens, and golds.

Since establishing DMC Original Art, I’ve had the honor of being recognized by receiving the Buy from A Black Woman Home Goods Company of the Year Award in 2021. I’ve also had the pleasure of participating in the Buy From a Black Woman Inspire Tours and Holiday Markets presented by H&M in 2022 and 2023. My work has been featured in national newspaper and magazine publications, which I still pinch myself about today.

As a visual artist, I’m grateful to be able to share the voice of my spirit through my work by showing my appreciation for nature, where everything is one-of-a-kind, colorful, and free-flowing.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Looking back, three things that have supported me most along my journey have been my passion to create, having a sense of curiosity, and valuing the power of community. All three of these have ultimately taught me to remain open to learning and pivoting in life, art, and business. In addition to that, a piece of advice to anyone early in their journey would be to create a business plan and work with a mentor!

How can folks who want to work with you connect?
I’m currently seeking to collaborate with Interior Designers and Art Curators. I invite anyone interested to visit my website to explore some of my work and contact me from www.dmcoriginalart.com

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Thomas Claude Photography, thomasclaude.com

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