1 minute read
Danielle Hoopaugh
by: Apolonia Davalos
Fine art and entrepreneurship go together as University of Sioux Falls’ junior Danielle Hoopaugh launches her small business Dani’s Dragons. “My night dragon is my personal mascot,” says Hoopaugh. On Oct 23, 2022, Danielle, an art and media studies major, designed, prepared, and premiered her first art booth at The Social Art Show in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Earrings, pins, stickers, keychains, and clay projects are tangible concoctions bringing her imagination to life.
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Danielle expresses the experience of selling her art for the first time as both “exciting and nerve-wracking” because she did not know what to expect.
She had never been to The Social prior to having her clay creations and dragon prints on display for sale.
The genesis of dragons becoming a prominent character-driven avenue for her artistry began when she was 12 years old.
“I’ve always been a fan of anything fantasy,” says Hoopaugh. “And at some point, between the ages 12 to 14, I started drawing little cartoon dragons and drakes and then I never stopped.”
“I started drawing little cartoon dragons and drakes and then I never stopped” ”
- Danielle Hoopaugh
Danielle shares that there are specific distinctions between dragons, sea dragons, drakes, wyverns, and other species within the dragon family. For example, drakes are dragons without wings. Brucie, an original Dani’s Dragons design, is a green drake. Some, not all, of her dragons have names. She is taking suggestions.
Danielle has just recently moved beyond vector art and printing stickers. She has found a passion for sculpting dragons and dragon eggs. Her reason for expanding her profession was a simple one, “I wanted something more physical.” Her earrings exhibit various themes, colors, and patterns with a wide assortment of shapes and, to quote her display board, “junk.” The earrings are made of polymer clay coated in UV resin. She utilizes the brand Sophie and Toffee. Danielle prefers white clay and painting over it. It “makes the colors a lot brighter and that’s what I was going for,” shares Hoopaugh.
Learn more about Dani’s Dragons by visiting Danielle Hoopaugh’s website https://amhoopaugh.wixsite.com/adhmedia.
Dani’s Dragons
BY: NEVEAH SCHREIBER
