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Let’s Get Acquainted . . . |
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Hello . . . my name is Donna. I am a Chalk Artist, Face Painter, and Graphic Arts. I am married to the most wonderful man on the planet, Randy Holloway. Randy and I met in 2001 and were married one year later, Oct. 12, 2002. He is a vital part of Drawn to Him and he makes it possible to travel and continue to present Jesus’ story wherever we go.
Starting at the Beginning: I was born in New York in 1962—one of a set of twin girls; my sister’s name is Susan. When I was about 9 years of age, we were invited to a Pioneer Girl Club at a Bible Church in Newburgh, NY. Not long after attending that club, I realized that, although my mom had taught me to believe in God and read Bible stories to us before bedtime, I did not know Jesus in a personal way. During a Thursday afternoon club meeting, I asked Jesus to become my Savior. At the age of 12, we moved with our parents to Winchester, VA. During a summer camp week in 1978, I came to a crossroads in my life. I had to decide if I was going to continue to “play” at being a Christian, or if I was going to give ALL of me to God. That night, July 21, 1978 I surrendered my will and wants to our Savior, Jesus Christ. Even on the bus ride from Tennessee to Virginia, I felt a need to REALLY learn the Bible and become a disciplined Christian, so I asked my parents if I could attend a Christian school in the fall. My mom had been praying for me for several years, so this was music to her ears. Chalk Art? What’s That?: It was the Christmas of 1978 when I was at a Youth Retreat in Florida that I saw something That changed the direction of my life although I didn’t know it at the time. I saw a Chalk Artist draw. I’d always loved Art and want to “grow up to be an art teacher.” I’ll never forget the pictures he drew. After graduating from High School, I went to a Christian college where I once a gain came into contact with a Chalk Artist and took a class under him to learn the basics. Even after college I continued to take instruction and work on my chalk art. Gary Means taught me so much about composition and gave me the inspiration to know I could do this. In 1990 I joined the ministry team of an evangelist and his wife, Pete & Annette Rice. I was able to travel on crusades with them, and on a trip to Russia I took a portable chalk easel and drew pictures for children in orphanages. I was able to do what no one else on our team did . . . “talk” to Russian children without an interpreter. Pictures are universal!! I left the easel there with a local church. More than JUST Chalk: The turning point in my ministry was when I learned about invisible blacklight chalk— “Picture within a Picture.” It was in the late 90’s and I had enrolled in Ding Teuling’s class in Muskegon, Michigan. Toward the end of the seminar, Ding introduced blacklight chalks and did a Chalk Art Presentation to “show us the ropes.” When he was done, I was amazed . . . I was staring at the SAME picture that had stuck in my mind back in 1978. It was Ding Teuling that I’d seen in 1978 even though I couldn’t remember his name for all those years. Let’s Talk . . . As I continue sharing Jesus’ story with our current culture through creative arts, I feel very humbled and privileged to be able to use the gifts God has given me to make a difference in the lives of those around me. I’d love to hear from you, so if you’d like to contact me, e-mail me at donna.holloway@drawntohim.com |
