Artist, Dawn Gray, shares the joys, scaries, and costs of serving in Nicaragua -plus her upcoming Art Show in Cocoa (3/8/08) you don't want to miss!!

"Your time. I learned this the last few months I was there. The project, the teaching, the gifts…they fade, but a heartfelt memory, your one on one time- it's going to last in that child's life forever." - Dawn Gray


(click here to go to her site)

MM: Talk a little bit about Nicaragua, and what exactly you do there?

Dawn Gray:
Starting Reddawn Designs in 2003, and watching how God blessed me with the ability to sell my art and live full time as a professional artist, was what started the dream and vision that eventually lead to my work in Nicaragua. I realized how fortunate I was at the age of 23 to use my talents to live and bring others joy. It all started after seeing my friends’, Noah Snyder and Kim Digg, surf pictures and lifestyle shots of Nicaragua. Although they were on a surf trip...they experienced so much more. Third world territory brought these children, the huts, and the horses to life in my mind, as these photos looped circles in my head until I finally knew...I knew I needed to go.
At first thought, I was called to go to the orphanages and teach art, but the doors opened up to go work down in La Chureca, a city dump where many people live and work. After spending a 7 week period in Nicaragua, the desire to go back right away after landing (in the US), lead other doors to open.
I got rid of my studio, "Red Dawn Designs"; sold my clothes, wetsuits, and hosted art shows, yard sales, and fundraisers to start my work abroad. At this same time, God was putting a vision in my friend Brent McCoy's heart to use art and talents to reach the kids in the USA and overseas, in which he then started I.A.M. (International Art Missions www.iamissions.com). To kick off the first part of the International part, we started Nicaragua art missions.
I took off in July 2007, with six surfboards for the kids, cargos of art supplies, and a suitcase of clothes. I arrived at Popoyo Surf Lodge, where JJ and Kim Yemma took me in as their own and housed me as a full time missionary and friend. I am still there and owe them so so much. Thanks for making this all possible! You can visit their site at www.surfnicaragua.com for more info (especially if you want to book the best surf trip of your life).
I am back in Fla. for three months, trying to work to pay my way to live and teach there for the rest of the year for free…..It's hard at times to live on this kind of faith, but God is always faithful...till' the very end. I’m heading back on April 7th ,and you can check out weekly updates on:
www.nicaraguaartmissions.blogspot.com and www.myspace.com/reddawndesigns

MM: You are an awesome example of someone who has used their passions and talents for the good of humanity. When did you start painting? Who got you into it?

Dawn: I started painting at the age of two or three I guess...always getting my hands into stuff...I even painted mom's wall's with brownie mix...ha.
My Mom always inspired me to be creative; my high school teacher, Mr. Jeffress, was a big influence on my painting; my Grandfather too, he is an unbelievable painter.

MM: Talk a little about your inspirations and influences in life….what has shaped you?

Dawn: I am inspired by things that are FREE ...uncontrolled. I think that is why I love horses and surfing so much; they are unpredictable and so FREE. So is following Christ, he inspires me everyday. What has shaped me is making mistakes. Without errors and corrections, you will always walk a straight line on your own…curves are so much prettier, and you can always appreciate the outcome of a perfect circle.

MM: What was it like growing up in the Outer banks?

A: Well, I have lived there only since I was 19, but six years spent there was the best experience of my life. The many friends and surf experiences, the best coffee (Front Porch Cafe), best everything…dang...I miss that place. Honestly, that is the place that I found myself…figured out a lot on those sandy dunes.

MM: Describe your living situation, and a typical day in Nicaragua.

Dawn: I live in a cozy lil' apartment set up in Popoyo Surf Lodge, given to me to use by JJ and Kim. It is great! I mean I still have huge scorpions and lizards that hang out in my bed sometimes, but hey, it's Nicaragua. I have my horse Ezekiel, Ezekiel con Fuego, that is. His whole name meaning Ezekiel with Fire, and he is pretty high strung. I also have a cat named Sammy, he was kind of an accident into the family…You'll have to ask JJ about that one..ha.
Typical day...Ok..I wake up and try to read my bible every AM...I put on my mp3 player and run on the beach for an hour..I scout out the waves and if I have time, go surfing for an hour. I then come back and chug some really dark, amazingly strong Nica coffee, and head out to either do art classes in town, paint a mural somewhere with kids, teach surfing lessons, teach English, or some other adventure...Then I wind back down around 4pm. Usually I have time to ride my horse on the beach, visit the local families, go out with Kim, spend time with the local girls, or go surfing again. Honestly, each day holds many different adventures. I have a set class schedule, but in between, I am all over...ha..Gosh...I really miss it.

MM: Any scary stories?

Dawn: Ha ha, yeah…to some people. Ok. Here’s a quick few. I almost drowned once at Popoyo; got held under on a double over head day under 10 waves...I gave up on the 10th under water and never thought I was going to see anyone ever again. I told everyone Good- bye underwater..and washed up onshore a few min later....that day was scary...
Another time, I veered off the well-beaten path on my horse to find my own way into town, and in the middle of nowhere got stopped by three men with Big Guns. They acted all tough, and because I laugh when I am nervous, I threw them off guard by saying, " Hola ", and with a smile tried to talk to them. They then learned that I was teaching one of their daughters art in town, and showed me favor and let me pass. God knows what could of happened! But I had favor that day.
I also got stung by a four inch scorpion. It stayed in my jeans one night for a good hour, and in the middle of dinner I jumped up in front of my friends and yelled...a few words I shouldn't of...and started dropping my pants; then looked around, saw guys in the room, and bolted in the bathroom screaming, laughing, and crying at the same time. It was quite hilarious now that I think about it, but it really hurt and was kind of scary to see the size of that thing crawl out of my pants..ha.. Gosh, I have lots more, but you can go to the website to read the past blogs…they are all there.

MM: Have you made a lot of friends?

Dawn: I almost tear up thinking about that question. Yes, I miss them so much.

MM: Do you travel around, or stay in one local place?

Dawn: I would say I travel around our towns a lot, but not really venture out of an hour radius. It's not too safe alone. I do go out with Kim to Granada and when Brad Corrigan comes to La Chureca with love light and melody (www.lovelightandmelody.org); I go help out in Managua.

MM: Who was your connection in Nicaragua?

Dawn: JJ and Kim Yemma
Craig Watson
Billy Diggs
Noah Snyder
Jesse Hines
Kim Diggs and her whole family
Danny Cruden
Brad Corrigan

MM: When did you know you wanted to do missions in Nicaragua?

Dawn: When I saw the photos of the kids’ faces. It was like overnight. I said, “Ok...Im going to Nicaragua.”

MM: How long did it take you to make this a realization?

Dawn: Almost a year, but I am still working hard at keeping it a reality. If you know of any grants or better ways let me know..ha..

MM: How hard was it to get things organized in a foreign country?

Dawn: Ha ha..Hard..your on Nica time when your there. Being a time stickler, I gave up that fast. It's so slow paced there.

MM: What has been biggest hurdle for pursuing this passion?
What advice do you have for people when it comes to following their heart?

Dawn: Biggest hurdle honestly would be finances; living on faith and trying to sell paintings, and working in a restaurant dealing with health issues, car issues, etc., when your stateside really starts to add up...and damper your faith. But, my advice is to just make every day a new day. This quote is awesome Proverbs 3:5 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart. In everything you do put God first and he will obey and crown your efforts with success." Always, always, always follow your hearts desires, they are there for a reason!

MM: Did you initially go alone, or was this a collaborative vision?

A: I went alone..people thought I was nuts..ha..maybe!

MM: How important have others been in making this a reality?

Dawn: Huge...Huge...I have so many people to thank...it's countless for the art supplies, to donations, to prayers,Gosh..writing this alone makes me really understand how blessed I am to know so many amazing people.

MM: What is the most important thing you can give a child over there?

Dawn: Your time. I learned this the last few months I was there. The project, the teaching, the gifts…they fade, but a heartfelt memory, your one on one time- it's going to last in that child's life forever.

MM: What has God done in Nicaragua, and what doors have opened as a result?

Dawn: Well, many lives have been touched by people, especially JJ and his family's help. Brad Corrigan, man he is unreal and has blessed a lot of families. Families have homes, have shoes, have food, have electricity, have eyeglasses, medications, and most importantly have GOD's love in their heart through so many people's obedience to help and lend a hand...it's unreal. Many doors are opening...I wish you could see how many would open to invite you in for some pan y cafe if you came to visit.

MM: How can people find out more or help out with your mission and art works?

Dawn: I have the Nicaragua Art Missions site -www.nicaraguaartmissions.blogspot.com- set up. There is a list of supplies needed, and funding to transport the supplies and help me teach there...word of mouth spreading the word on the streets helps...I am looking for a bigger doors to open… possibly grants. I stay so busy focused on the artwork, the projects for the kids, working, that I have a hard time figuring out these sort of important things.

MM: How has your faith grown as a result of this? Or, describe a specific situation that really strengthened your faith?
Have you changed? How?

Dawn: Man..God really stretched my faith big time in the beginning, and now actually I am going through some testing again…it's like a seasonal thing. When you find a comfort zone for too long you know something is wrong; you need to always be stretching and growing stronger. I admit, right now I wish it was easier and it's sometimes frustrating, but I know without a shadow of doubt, he will provide. I think I am changing...everyday. I think this year, it is growing into the fact I feel somewhat an age of a new decade…the big 26 is coming up and I am feeling a desire to fulfill other parts of my heart all the while working in Nicaragua.....but in this I know I must lay it all down before God, before I can see what is up ahead; it's a waiting game....it's like Twister...Have you ever played that game as a kid? See how far you can stretch around until you fall...or win. I believe in winning, so maybe I should do some pilates to stay limber...ha.

MM: Has your art changed? How?

Dawn: Yes, actually it has matured a little…still not satisfied though…I think when I am 40 I might appreciate some of my own work..ha. I think it also has changed around this time when I am trying to cater to a market that will buy it, and I have to whip out a painting just to make money to go back to Nica...I kind of hate to do this but the minute I finish, I start a RedDawn piece that brings the joy all back.

MM: Do you have a different view on humanity, or this life in general?

Dawn: Humanity..hmm, we all mess up and as long as we can admit it and drop our pride to lend a hand not discriminating, race, religion, cultures, politics, favoritism....we will go somewhere...it's a hard task...try it daily.

MM: What keeps you going each day?

Dawn: God...really strong coffee, working out, bright happy faces, salt water, and knowing that somehow I am fulfilling a part of my destiny. Holding on to that vision of my own lil' family and house and garden with my horses in Nica' always helps too...ha...yunno..best friends help too...Kim Yemma..thank you.

MM: What is the best thing about what you do?

Dawn: Giving GOD all the Glory

MM: Do you find yourself happier, or content in Nicaragua?

Dawn: Yes, happier…Yes, more content....Yes, I am learning to cope being back here in the States...and I appreciate all we have here, but my heart yearns to be back; I have battled a lil' bit of sadness here..it's my stretching time I guess..ha.

MM: How has your initial vision grown?

Dawn: I think as soon as the timing is fit...there will be some big and new adventures ahead for IAM and movement in Nicaragua. Yes, the vision is growing everyday…it grows in the hearts of everyone of the lil' kids of Nicaragua I work with. They are all lil' seedlings and will soon be planted and the fields will produce...wait...you will see.