Story & Lesson Highlights with Dyane Janney Espinosa of Paradise Valley

We recently had the chance to connect with Dyane Janney Espinosa and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Dyane, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
When I am working on a commission, or a project for one of my non profits, or simply just working on my art by experimenting with new mediums, I loose myself in my art. I have never taken classes in school, I had several careers in merchandising, retail, travel, and healthcare, but when I retired I did not know what to do with my time. We had retired to Arizona and had amazing views of the desert, the mountains, the colors, the textures that allowed me to create my glass, paint and hand emboss metals and bead. I work and forget about time. I can work all day, take a break resume to life’s daily duties, and then work some more. The problem is that it that it is not work, it is pure pleasure. My art makes me happy and those that hire me love the fact that I can be their hands to create their art. I love creating art, I have found finally found myself!

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Special treasures are often passed on to us loosely, one at a time, or sometimes in a jumble. The dainty gold baby ring…the lace hanky…a child’s first baby tooth…the worn penknife…..the monogrammed bookmark. These are treasured keepsakes to be saved in a Forever Memory Box. I create Forever Memory Boxes to
remember special occasions, special people, precious pets, heirloom items, any treasure that can be highlighted for that special someone. My name is Dyane Janney Espinosa, and I am a fused glass, and Repujado artist. I love to create Forever Memory Boxes for clients, and non profits organizations.. I love to blend many mediums for my original art I create art for non profits to auction off to raise money for their Organizations. This is how I give back, and I love it!

Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who taught you the most about work?
I am first generation born US. My parents were born in Mexico, as were my grandparents and great grandparents. They all came to the USA for a better life, more opportunities. My family were very hard workers.. My father had only a Jr.. High education, my mother graduated from high school. They were both very artistic, and encouraged me to always try new things. I never considered myself an artist, but I have always been artistic. My parents allowed me to paint and decorate the house.I painted murals on the walls of my room.. I sewed and painted and did crafts but it wasn’t my career choice. I got my first job in retail at 15, but when I retired, I began taking art courses at the local college, first stained glass, then fused class, jewelry making, pottery, painting and so much more.

What fear has held you back the most in your life?
I guess the fear of failure. As I mentioned before, I was raised in a Hispanic environment . My parents provided me with everything possible. The one thing they always said was I could do anything I put my mind to, followed by a statement that is always in the back of my mind….Dyane is perfect. Perfection, really to a child that is a great trait to live up to. In my lifetime I have always strived for perfection. In some ways this has prevented me from moving forward in my art….perfection is there such a thing?

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
Family, friends, and values. I am the first to assist if someone needs help. I am a caregiver, I cannot give money but I can give something beautiful to auction off for money to help my non profits. Helping others, this is my strength. I love making tributes to people. And I love to gift my art. I work closely with my art partner, together we work as one creating beautiful art. Phyllis and I have an ease together on projects. Other artists are amazed as they watch us work, hand to hand. We are blessed to have our art and one another to work with, side by side.

Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What will you regret not doing? 
The only regret I have in my life was not going to college. I had huge aspirations and a full scholarship to a university , but my parents were not willing to allow their girl to go away to school. The only way I could leave the house was to get married! So I married my childhood sweetheart and immediately had two wonderful children.
I do wish that I had taken the opportunity to further my education, however in my retirement I have taken art classes to introduce myself to many mediums to work with. My art has filled a void in my soul, I now feel whole.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Phillydy4art. Furevermemoryboxes
• Facebook: Forever Memory Boxes. FureverPetBoxes. Dyanate Designs