Check Out DeAndrea Vaughn-Doom’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to DeAndrea Vaughn-Doom.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My interest in art began as a young child and blossomed more with the introduction of special effects my brother would show me through film. I worked on movie sets, music videos, and runway shows. I also made my way into applying Halloween makeup for others which landed me a job as a designer for Theater Works in Peoria, AZ.

Working for the theater really helped me build up the skills and confidence to set out on my own and create my own company Vaughn-Doom. I love creating dark and whimsical pieces that are wearable for my customers. My work allows me to express my artistic side and is the driving force behind why I create.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Believing in myself enough to set out on my own and create something from the ground up is not an easy task.

Overcoming insecurities and self-doubt is one of the biggest struggles I have had to face. To take that first step out on my own and simply begin the work was terrifying. Then the added fear of not knowing if my art would be received well or would even allow me to break even with the money I put into it.

Financially backing and funding my own passion came with a lot of stress and panic that had me second-guessing if I was putting my money in the right spot or if it was all futile. So, I work multiple jobs in order to make sure that when I get home I have the finances to back my passion work at Vaughn-Doom and that I am able to attend shows and conventions around the valley.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My work includes mostly wearable art that I create by sculpting with clay and casting in molds I made of silicone. I began my company in the summer of 2021 by selling only one product at Mad Monster with a tiny section of a table.

They were magnetic octopus horns on headbands customers could wear under wigs. To my surprise, I had an amazing reception for my first show. I was almost completely sold out and people were loving my work. I had no idea where I would go from there or what I could do next to keep the momentum going, but I knew I wanted to try. Since then I have added multiple items to my inventory including skull masks, light-up clocks, earrings, and enamel pins that I have been selling at show locations all through the valley. I received two Zoni Awards and several nominations for my work at the theater.

Everything I do I have learned through research and trial and error. For each project I work on I try to learn something I didn’t know and do something I have never done before. It keeps me growing as an artist to pick up new skills and incorporate them into my art. It’s important for me to stay curious, try out new things, and make mistakes.

In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
Everything is happening online. However, my work is tactile which can be an obstacle.

The hope for the future is to be able to have an online presence with a shop, videos, and educational information. It can be trying at times to find information on what it is I do and I would like to be a helpful source of information for others that want to do the same.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.vaughn-doom.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vaughn.doom
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vaughn.d00m