In 2000 I seen Donna Dewberry on QVC promoting her painting technique. She made it look so easy. She kept saying how anyone could paint using her technique. I seriously doubted her but decided that I wanted to give it a shot. I went and purchased the supplies that I would need and set out to prove Mrs. Dewberry wrong. I practiced day after day for a few weeks and did not see the results I wanted to see. I thought to myself, ok I really can`t learn this. I put my supplies away and did not think I would ever drag them out again. A couple of months later I came across several groups on the internet for decorative painters. I decided to join a couple to see if there was any help for me. Meeting and talking to other artists built up my confidence enough to give painting another try. I got my supplies back out and attempted to paint something using the One Stroke method again. I was a success! It was far from perfect but I continued to practice everyday and soon I was painting things that I could really be proud of. After painting using the One Stroke method for several months and after building my confidence, I decided it was time to venture on to other forms of decorative art. Quickly, painting became my passion. I started receiving great feedback on my work. Friends and family were asking to buy my artwork, so I thought if they liked my work enough to buy it then maybe there was a chance others would want to buy it as well. I was naive and thought that if you just put up a website, people would find you and you would be successful. I was totally wrong! I began to loose my confidence and gave up. One day I decided that if I really wanted to be successful I needed to do some research on running an online art business. After doing a lot of research and talking with other artists who had successful websites I seen where my mistakes were and decided to try again. I took it very serious this time instead of treating it like a hobby. I opened up The Artist Barn in 2003. It was a slow process but eventually I got my name out there and business finally took off. The Artist Barn became very successful. I produced pattern packets and had several articles and technique sheets published on the internet. I was on top of the world!

Then in 2006 some personal issues came up which knocked me down. I had to close down The Artist Barn. I was the only artist for The Artist Barn so if I could not do the painting then nothing could be sold. I was devastated! I had worked so hard at building my business and I truly loved my work. Finally after almost 2 years I picked up my brushes again and began to paint. It was always my plan and my dream to re-open my website as soon as I was able. At the beginning of 2008 I decided it was time to get back into the swing of things and start working on my new website. I went to register my domain name and someone had bought it. I was very sad at first but decided my work would speak for itself and that my domain name was only that, a domain name. My success did not come in my name but from my work. I thought and thought about a new name for my business. Finally I was lying in bed one night and it hit me like a sack of potatoes, Olde Country Creations. I purchased the domain name the next day, signed up for my hosting and here we are. I cannot tell you how excited I am to be back at work and to be able to share with you my love of painting and creating.

Artist Facts

Name: Tonya Hopkins
Birth Place: Jacksonville, North Carolina
Married to: Scott Hopkins
Children: 2 daughters
Now lives in: Jacksonville, North Carolina Creative Outlets: Painting, Sewing, Paper Crafts