Meet Dana Hammack of Gargoyles Canvas in West Valley- Peoria

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dana Hammack.

Dana, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I started as just an artist. I had someone that printed my artwork onto canvas so I could sell it at the local art walks. I was invited to attend a two-day festival in Las Vegas and sold enough to be able to buy our first printer. My husband figured out how to make it work and we started filling up my booth.

At one of the Mesa Art Walks, we were asked: “who does your printing?” We had to convince him the printer sat in our dining room and it was us. He told his cousin, who told another artist, who told another artist. Who is still telling people and introducing us to more people and more people.

What started as Gargoyles Canvas – Dana Hammack has now become Gargoyles Canvas- Think Big, Print Small. I quit my day job in June and my dream to be a business owner is official. Gargoyles Canvas is my full time job and I’m so excited and scared and happy and everything all at once.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
No way! We had so much to learn along the way. How to run the printers, how to create ICC Profiles so the prints look amazing, how to color correct monitors, how to figure out what to charge, how to do Quick Books.

How to tell a customer no. There is always something more to learn. What material is better for specific projects, what new features does Photoshop have, What do you mean, I have to manually punch out 1200 stickers and deliver them in two hours. I try very hard to get to know each customer and let them get to know us. So far, that seems to feel like the right path for us to follow.

We’d love to hear more about your company.
Gargoyles Canvas is a home-based printing company. It is myself, Dana, my husband Art, and our daughter Sarrah. We print on canvas, satin paper, vinyl stickers, banners, shirts, window lettering, and design marketing material. As a company, I am most proud of our quality. We try very hard to make the reproductions look like the originals. I think what sets us apart is our personalities. We invite new clients to our home to see the printers and to learn the process and ask as many questions as they want.

What were you like growing up?
I was very quiet. I remember drawing pictures before I even started school. I grew up in a small town in Wisconsin and when it was snowy my mom did crafts with me. I always wanted to be an artist. Now, I’m in my late 40’s, loud and giggly, and I still want to be an artist when I grow up.

Pricing:

• $50 minimum order

Contact Info:

• Website: www.gargoylescanvas.com
• Phone: 6028188153
• Email: gargoylescanvas@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gargoylescanvas/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gargoylescanvas

Suggest a story: VoyagePhoenix is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.