Meet Evelyne Dieu

We were lucky to catch up with Evelyne Dieu recently and have shared our conversation below.

Evelyne, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

I’ve always believed that everything happens for a reason, and in many ways, I feel like my purpose found me rather than the other way around. My path hasn’t been smooth or straightforward—nothing in my life ever is—but every challenge, every unexpected turn, pushed me closer to what I was meant to do. When that spark of passion for art first lit up inside me, I followed it relentlessly. I’ve always felt that my talent for art wasn’t accidental; it was a blessing meant to be used to make a difference for other.

Art became the bridge between my experiences and the world around me. After everything I’ve lived through, I’ve learned to see people not just for who they are, but for what they carry—their stories, their struggles, their resilience. Being a realistic yet creative, and deeply empathetic person allows me to connect with those emotions on a symbolic level. That connection is what enables me to transform someone’s life story into a piece of art that empowers them. My goal is never to mirror their sorrow, but to reveal their strength.

My international background, multilingualism, and studies in art and art history all enrich the way I create. They give me a broad palette of cultural references and symbolism to draw from. What continues to amaze me is how differently people resonate with those symbols—how something I create from my own understanding can speak so personally to someone else. That, to me, is purpose in its purest form: allowing my work to help others see themselves with more hope, courage, and clarity than before.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

Professionally, I work at the intersection of creativity and strategy. I am both a professional artist and a Business Operations Consultant in the built environment industry, and while those roles may seem worlds apart, they truly feed into each other. I’m at my best when I’m helping people, teams, and organizations grow, heal, or evolve. My creative side helps me see stories, symbolism, and human depth; my business side allows me to bring structure, clarity, and long-term vision to everything I do. Together, they shape the way I approach both art and operations—with intention, empathy, and purpose.

Artistically, one of my current focuses is a charity-driven project aimed at raising awareness for Veterans living with PTSD. In this initiative, I portray veterans’ stories on wearable pieces—denim jackets, trench coats, and other attire—transforming clothing into symbolic canvases. Each piece honors their journey, resilience, and identity in a deeply personal way. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Adaptive Training Foundation in Carrollton, an organization doing incredible work to support disabled veterans and adaptive athletes.

Beyond that, I am developing a new mixed-media series called Alba Negra, which explores themes of resilience, embodied strength, and the duality between protection and vulnerability. These pieces blend oil, acrylic, and charcoal portraiture with sculptural 3D plaster elements—most notably wings that extend beyond the canvas. Sometimes they emerge outward in full motion; other times, they wrap around the portrait like a protective shield. The symbolism speaks to movement, rebirth, and the quiet power of carrying both light and shadow within oneself. The series is meant to remind viewers that transformation often comes from embracing all parts of one’s story.

Another exciting milestone is that ArtsByEvlynn is now powered by Tower Design Studio, a partnership that elevates the creative storytelling and design strategy behind all upcoming projects. Tower’s architectural and design expertise brings an additional layer of depth, structure, and innovation to my work, allowing me to scale my artistic vision while preserving its authenticity.

There is so much unfolding—new collaborations, meaningful causes, and artwork that blends narrative, emotion, and craftsmanship. Whether for charity or for private clients, my mission remains constant: to create pieces that empower, heal, and remind people of their inner strength.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

When I look back on my journey, the first and most impactful quality has always been perseverance. People often give themselves timelines—six months, a year—to “make it,” whether in business, art, or building a social presence. But breakthroughs don’t follow our schedules. If you quit at year one, you may miss the breakthrough waiting at year one and two months. If you believe deeply in your purpose and in the service you’re offering to others, keep going. Consistency is its own form of faith.

The second crucial area has been prioritization. Knowing what deserves your time, focus, and energy shapes everything. I always encourage people to train themselves in the fundamentals that truly matter long-term: financial literacy, public speaking, and mastering your own pitch. Everywhere you go, you are your own advertisement. How you carry yourself, how you communicate your mission, and how confidently you stand in who you are—those things open as many doors as talent does.

Finally, empathy has been one of the most defining forces in my work. Being social, intuitive, and genuinely connected to people allows me to understand them in moments of vulnerability. I know what it feels like to struggle, to process trauma, to walk through seasons where life feels like “black snow.” That lived experience enables me to create art that honors people’s stories with the right symbolism and sensitivity. My advice for anyone early in their journey is to cultivate emotional intelligence as intentionally as you cultivate technical skill. Listen to people, pay attention to their stories, and remain human in everything you do.

These three elements—perseverance, prioritization, and empathy—have guided me through every chapter of both my artistic and professional life. And they’re qualities anyone can build with intention, honesty, and practice.

Tell us what your ideal client would be like?

My ideal client is someone who values depth, meaning, and storytelling—regardless of whether they are a Designer, an Architect, or a private individual. I work across many sectors and settings, from healthcare facilities to hospitality, commercial spaces, and private residences, and what matters most isn’t the industry—it’s the intention behind the collaboration.

The clients I connect with most are those who understand that portraying history, identity, and symbolism doesn’t always require a face. It can, but it doesn’t have to. A painting can be a narrative of a city, a country, a property, a family, or a culture. It can be any size, tailored to any space, and built around the symbolic language that resonates with the client or the project’s story. That flexibility allows me to create work that feels deeply personal, yet universally understood.

I work best with clients who are open, reflective, and willing to trust the creative process. Whether it’s a designer seeking a custom piece that aligns with their vision for a space, an architect wanting to integrate symbolic storytelling into a project, or a private client sharing meaningful parts of their life, the collaboration is strongest when there is honesty, curiosity, and emotional clarity. The most powerful pieces come from people who are willing to explore the experiences that shaped their strength, not just their challenges.

On a practical level, my ideal client values communication, professionalism, and quality. They appreciate that meaningful art takes intention, craft, and time—and they are excited to be part of that journey.

Ultimately, I thrive with clients who want more than a visually appealing piece. They want artwork with purpose—something that becomes part of their environment, their identity, and their story. Those are the collaborations where the art truly comes alive.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.artsbyevlynn.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artsbyevlynn/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArtsbyEvlynn
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/evelyne-dieu
• Other: https://www.towerxvi.com