The DBASA® programme has literally changed the direction of my life! I’m retiring from my role as Senior Pharmacist within the NHS this year—but really, I’m just switching careers to become a full-time artist.
My biggest takeaway? I’ve had the confidence to listen to my inner voice and change my painting style to more abstract mixed media and collage, which has been a revelation! It has also given me the confidence to call myself an artist, talk about my work, market and sell my art, and connect with other artists in a way I never imagined.
Since completing the programme, I’ve built a website and newsletter, developed new bodies of work, sold in galleries and at art fairs, exhibited in Open Art Exhibitions, and taken part in a group exhibition with fellow DBASA® artists, learning firsthand how to market and hang an exhibition. I now teach in-person workshops on Gelliprinting and collage and have built a loyal social media following. When you list it all in a paragraph—wow, I have been busy!
Signing up for DBASA® has been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made, and I know I’ll keep coming back to the modules as I move into this next exciting phase as a full-time artist!
Fondly known as Mrs P to me, Gillian Park is a true force of creativity whom I met 8 years ago. My ‘alter ego/day job’ in Health and Social Care is all-consuming and stressful, so I was wary about taking on the DBASA® programme while working full-time. But it’s so cleverly designed and flexible that I could dip in and out to suit my lifestyle.
My biggest takeaway? Stay in your own lane. It’s easy to get distracted by what others are doing, but I’ve learned to take my art journey at my own pace. Since starting DBASA®, I’ve exhibited at juried competitions, gained gallery exposure, and had two successful exhibitions in 2024, growing my collectors along the way.
If you are thinking about the DBASA® programme and are working full time, be mindful of one thing……. This is your life, and you only have one so if you get excited about Art invest in You!
During Covid, I realised I wanted to pivot my career—gradually stepping away from graphic design to pursue my true passion: creating art.
But I had no idea where to start. For two years, I did nothing.
When I finally began to dabble, I lacked direction and had no clue how to turn my passion into a steady income. My marketing was inconsistent, pricing felt awkward, and I often felt lost and alone in the process.
Then, by chance, I met Gillian online and joined DBASA®. Suddenly, I felt supported, and making money from my art no longer seemed like a distant dream. With hard work, consistency, and the courage to try new things, I began to see real progress.
Last year, I held my first solo exhibition and now regularly run art workshops for beginners—two things I never imagined possible. While I haven’t quite ditched the day job yet, my friends now think of me as an artist. More importantly, I believe it myself.
DBASA® gave me ten years’ worth of learning in just one year—and the lessons I’ve gained continue to guide me every day.
Since taking Gillian's DBASA® course I now see so much more potential in my art practice. The guidance and information has encouraged me to take on workshops, art fayres, be part of Open Studios and have more confidence in pricing my artwork.
Now that I have the DBASA® information there is so much more I want to take on.
I went from having no idea where to start to treating my art practice as a wider business which has the potential to be self-sustaining.
For me DBASA® was about changing the way I think about my art both in terms of me feeling serious about my abilities, and about painting being something that is worth being serious about. I have learned an unbelievable amount in such a short period of time.
The modules were packed full of practical advice – from getting started on social media/ to running a successful stall at an art fair / to selling larger original pieces in exhibitions – and everything in between. The mindset sections were incredibly enlightening and forced me to really examine my artistic journey, why I had abandoned art as a teenager and then what had drawn me back.
In my day job, I am a solicitor, and the pressures of running my own business, and looking after my family, made it easy for me to come up with every excuse, why I just didn’t have time to undertake the DBASA® programme. I am so glad I didn’t listen to that little voice of doubt and just gave it a go. DBASA® has given me the confidence to “get my paintings out there” and as a result the feedback I have received, and sales I have achieved, have been astonishing.
Joining DBASA® has truly been life changing for me. I am now confidently fulfilling my dream of being an artist. Gillian’s programme is full of practical useful exercises and tools, but it also provides you with a safe environment to share experiences with like minded people. I now have a fabulous support network of artist friends as a result of taking part.
Learning to find and grow my audience has been vital. It has reaped rewards, as I now have a growing mailing list and repeat customers. Since completing the course, I’ve undertaken commissions, delivered demonstrations and workshops, sold my work at artisan markets as well as in a local gallery.
My biggest achievement so far has been participating in The Ayrshire Collective, a fabulous exhibition and creative programme which has widened my audience even further.
I started painting at a workshop of Gillian’s in August 2018 a bit after retiring from a 40+ year career in the public sector where every day I was suited and booted and had little time for anything else.
With Gillian as my art coach and what I learned during the amazing DBASA programme, I gained the confidence to enter judged competitions, participate in art fairs and exhibitions and undertake commissions. In 2024, I was thrilled beyond words to be part of “The Ayrshire Collective” of Gillian and six of her “weans”, exhibiting at a major local arts centre for nearly seven weeks; it was the most successful exhibition the venue had seen in many a long year and I was delighted to have had an almost complete sell out of my work - the only remaining one now graces my lounge wall. If you’re hesitating, don’t!
What you learn in the DBASA® programme is so flexible and you can take it as far as you want - and then some!
DBASA® programme was a game changer for me.
At the start, the mindset modules made me think deep into what was holding me back. I brought back difficult memories. Once I got past this brick wall my confidence grew.
It’s now been 2 years since I completed the programme. I have exhibited in several local galleries, sold original artwork locally and internationally.
Best of all I’ve just packed in my job and in the process of building my own studio/art Gallery.
Gillan was brilliant sharing her knowledge and encouraging me to believe in myself.
