“When I was in high school, I remember wanting to be an art therapist,” she said. “I’ve always had an interest in art, and I had a great teacher in high school who took the time to help me and believed in my abilities. I looked into colleges and focused on an art therapist degree, but things didn’t happen that way.”

Instead, she married right out of high school, moved to Germany as a military wife, and began raising her children. She finally started college late in life. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in social work while living in Texas.

Then she moved north to Wisconsin and returned to college in 2009. She completed her graduate school in 2011 at Michigan State, and earned her master’s degree in social work.

She is credentialed as a licensed clinical social worker and owns a private practice in mental health — The Northwoods Therapist LLC. She had a 26-year career in social work.

Deanna Brown, owner of D’s Dreamations-D’s Creative Faces, with some of the artwork she has created in the past. (Contributed photo)

But Brown always stayed interested in art.

“I loved doing different things, from drawing to painting different items, but never thought anything of it. I focused on my kids when they were little and as they grew up, I was drawn back to art, maybe as a way to relax, and explored various interests,” Brown said.

This led to creating resin-sealed tumblers and opening D’s Dreamations in 2018.

“From 2018, it’s been non-stop with so many creative ideas and outlets. And I’ve had so much fun trying different things. I incorporated some of my art into therapy sessions with groups and individuals, as often as I could,” she said.

“I think the interaction with kids from a therapy standpoint and art as an enjoyable outlet, led me to painting faces,” she said.

A child with a face painting done by Deanna Brown, owner of D’s Dreamations-D’s Creative Faces. (Contributed photo)

When Brown saw this was a real option, she began teaching herself and also taking classes, beginning with her first instructor/mentor from the United Kingdom. She has attended a face-painting convention and she continues to take courses to build her skills and business.

She has painted at the fairs for Dickinson and Marinette counties and has been hired for private parties and events.

“There are so many new things to learn with face painting, and I just love the creativity and how it continues to be ever evolving,” Brown said. “I love the opportunity to talk with kids for that four to five minutes in my chair, and hopefully provide them with a connection that intertwines therapy and the art overall. I feel I have helped them somehow, if it’s a moment of joy and happiness and they walk away smiling; I feel like that is just a mini-therapy session.

“So overall I do feel sometimes I finally became an art therapist, sort of,” she said.

To contact Brown, go to her D’s Dreamations page on Facebook or email to dsdreamations@gmail.com.

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Marguerite Lanthier can be reached at 906-774-3500, ext. 85242, or mlanthier@ironmountaindailynews.com.