Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Danielle Murrell. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Danielle, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?
Resilience, for me, is a quality I’ve been cultivating and refining since childhood. It’s the ongoing pursuit of adapting to life’s challenges with grace, intelligence, and the ability to pivot when needed. Though I haven’t always succeeded in these efforts, one thing remains constant—I always find a way to get back up, no matter how massive the failures or missteps in my journey as an artist, mother, educator, and human being navigating this world.
As a creative person, my path has been anything but smooth. It’s often filled with uncertainty, rocky terrain, and that all-too-familiar voice of self-doubt whispering, You’re not enough. You’re not doing enough. Your efforts won’t pay off. But I persist. I persist because staying true to my authentic self, my values, and my vision of creating beauty and meaning in this world is non-negotiable.
There’s a spark within me, a quiet yet insistent voice that nudges me back to my feet when I’m down for the count. I wonder sometimes where it comes from. Is it my role as a mother, the desire to show my children that resilience is possible and necessary? Is it my educator’s heart, trained to press on despite the immense challenges that teaching brings? Or is it simply the core of who I am—a person who deeply understands that life is too precious to settle for mediocrity?
I fight for my success and my happiness not just for myself, but for everyone connected to me—my children, my friends, my fellow artists, my students, even those who came before me and those who will come after. I refuse to let barriers define my story. Breaking through them is my way of honoring those around me and proving that the fight for a fulfilling, meaningful life is always worth it.
As the saying goes, “Nevertheless, she persisted”—and I always will.
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 have spent over 13 years as a high school art educator and more than 20 years as a professional artist, and let me tell you—both have shaped me in ways I never expected. Teaching taught me how to foster trust, spark curiosity, and face challenges head-on. It’s also where I learned that connecting with people authentically is the only way I ever want to connect with people, personally and professionally. One thing working with teenagers over the years has taught me is that if you aren’t being authentic you will not only be wasting your time but also, you aren’t fooling anyone, especially not teenagers!
That being said, and in the vein of authenticity, I have come to the hard fought conclusion that I’m ready for a new adventure—one that lets me grow, stretch my skills in fresh ways, and see what I’m really capable of. I thrive in creative, collaborative environments where brainstorming solutions to wild challenges is part of the daily grind. Over the years, I’ve realized my superpower is creating spaces where people feel safe to take risks, think outside the box, and push boundaries. That’s where the magic happens, and it’s also how we grow and make amazing things happen together. To be a part of something like that and do some good in the world??? DREAM JOB!
Which is why I have decided that I would ultimately love to land in the world of marketing for nonprofits, as it blends two of my biggest passions: helping others creatively and turning big, bold ideas into reality. Whether it’s designing programs, building connections, or tackling a unique challenge, I love the idea of making a real impact on a larger scale.
Outside of teaching, I’ve always been someone who loves learning and diving into new challenges. For example, after the pandemic, I spent three years apprenticing and becoming a tattoo artist—while still teaching full-time! It was an adventure full of self-discovery, connecting with people in deeply personal ways, and sharing unforgettable moments. While it didn’t turn out to be my forever career, it did remind me how much I love stepping outside my comfort zone and learning something new, no matter how daunting it may seem.
I’ve also worked with organizations like Big Thought, creating art programs for students at the Dallas Juvenile Detention Center. That experience was as challenging as it was rewarding. I gained so much insight into the transformative power of human connection and art, and I’ll always be proud of the work we did there. Programs like that are so needed and I’d love to help create more of them in the future.
As I look ahead, I’m excited to see where this next chapter takes me. I want to collaborate with other creative, passionate people, tackle meaningful challenges, and find new ways to make a difference. Life is an adventure, and I’m all in for whatever comes next!
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Looking back, the three qualities that have been most impactful to my journey are resilience, the ability to build authentic connections, and a creative problem-solving mindset. Each has shaped who I am and how I approach challenges, growth, and collaboration.
Resilience
Resilience has been the foundation of my journey. Whether navigating personal setbacks or professional challenges, the ability to get back up, adapt, and keep going has been essential. It’s not just about enduring difficulties but about finding the lessons in them and using those experiences to grow.
Advice: Start by embracing failure as a teacher. Reflect on what went wrong, what you can control, and what you can improve. Celebrate your small victories—they build the mental muscle you’ll need when bigger challenges arise.
Authentic Connections
Building authentic, meaningful relationships has been key to my success. In teaching, creating a safe and trusting environment helped students thrive. Outside of education, it’s been about forming partnerships where creativity and collaboration flourish.
Advice: Focus on truly listening to others. Authenticity isn’t about being perfect; it’s about being honest, empathetic, and open to learning from those around you. Take time to build trust—it will pay off in ways you can’t imagine.
Creative Problem-Solving
The ability to approach problems with curiosity, innovation, and a willingness to experiment has been transformative. Creativity isn’t just for artists; it’s a tool for navigating ambiguity and finding fresh approaches to challenges.
Advice: Cultivate curiosity. Ask “What if?” and don’t be afraid to explore unconventional solutions. Practice brainstorming regularly—alone or with others—and treat every problem as an opportunity to learn!
For those starting their journey, my advice is this: embrace growth over perfection, lean into relationships that inspire and challenge you, and never stop exploring creative ways to approach the world. Life’s journey is not a straight path—it’s a winding road full of opportunities to learn, adapt, and discover your unique strengths.
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
Absolutely, I’m always looking to partner or collaborate with people who share a passion for creativity, innovation, and meaningful work. I’m drawn to genuine, down-to-earth environments where big ideas are born through collaboration and where creative problem-solving is not just appreciated but necessary.
I’m especially interested in working with teams or individuals who value diverse perspectives, are open to exploring unconventional approaches, and understand that not every great idea comes from someone on a “traditional” career path. My background as an educator and leader gives me a unique ability to bring structure to chaos, inspire trust, and foster environments where creative solutions can flourish. I have been feeling the tug to start a new professional journey for some time now, the decision to leave behind education hasnt been easy but I must follow what I know I am meant to create and build.
If you’re someone who values thoughtful collaboration, sees the potential in diverse professional experiences, and believes in building authentic relationships to achieve big goals, I’d love to connect! You can contact me at Danikent8@gmail.com and check out my website at www.artbydani.co Let’s see how we can turn challenges into opportunities and create something impactful together!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.artbydani.co
- Instagram: @dani_m_art_
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danikm
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