Artist

     A Special Valentine

Devon created a special valentine for her daughters. It was a heartfelt drawing, a gift of love. Much to her surprise the Heartpeople® art has spread its wings and is capturing the hearts of the world. Today, Heartpeople® art is pouring love into corporations, homes, and restaurants. In less than two years Devon was commissioned to design 144 pieces of original art to decorate an entire new heart hospital, making her one of the first artists who has designed original art for an entire facility.  In addition she has also been commissioned to design art for a new facility that houses chronically ill children.

Devon was commissioned by the first African American female mayor of Dayton, Rhine McClin, to create 1000 Heartpeople® art for all her campaign contributors. Rhine also asked Devon to create her personal banner to be used in parades and personal appearances. The banner reflects Rhine as the "Mayor With Heart." This was Devon's first licensing opportunity.

Devon's art has been placed on an official seal of the Ohio Girl Scout patch. She has also designed art for the new Montgomery County Children's Services facility. She was a nominee two years in a row for the Governor's Ohio Arts Council award.

Private Eyes This art was created for Ebony fashion designer L'Amour Amere for one of his incredible clothing creations.

Devon is the owner of Heartpeople® at 1917 E. Third Street in Dayton, Ohio. The walls of Devon's gallery are filled with her whimsical art. Her earlier pieces were all done with magic marker, ranging from Heartpeople® to cityscapes, jungle themes, magic castles in the sky, and most recently, reclining nudes and diva women.   Devon's vivid colors are lighthearted and bright, leaving a lasting impression. "I was ashamed of being a marker artist until I met Gustav Likan," referring to the Croatian-born painter she studied with before his death in 1998. "Here's this world-famous painter, delighted to use my Crayolas, so I came back and I was proud of using markers. I mean, here's this guy who did murals for Evita Peron's school in Argentina saying my work is ‘genius’.”  She continues by adding, “He called me a true colorist as colors come from deep emotions.  He said that's what people are feeling when they see my art. They're feeling things I probably repressed in my own childhood. They feel hopeful and happy and that's why I market it as functional art as well as decorative.  Functional because it is not just directive, it actually inspires change in people.” Most recently she has taken her primitive style to self-taught acrylic work.