Meet DeAnna Wagner | Student, artist, and host.

We had the good fortune of connecting with DeAnna Wagner and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi DeAnna, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Starting Pink Beetle was honestly a whim. I really loved first Fridays here in Colorado Springs and I have known so many artists who can’t partake because of financial or time based reasons. I get it, I’m a college student with a house she’s fixing up. Time and money is important! So I wanted to make a safe place for those artists who want to take baby steps into the career field. Just like me!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’ve been inspired to use bright colors for highlights and dirty golds and greens for backgrounds from local artists I’ve seen at Blue Pony and the Look Up Gallery. Otherwise, my art has always been influenced by Monet, Klimt, and Dali. My art is a murky pool of my current experiences. Maybe one day it’ll be a bit clearer, but I’m enjoying these mysterious waves. My history with art is pretty boring. I’ve held paint brushes since I was 3 years old, I deal with my OCD mainly by pencil drawings, and I’ve taken a lot of art classes to scratch that creative itch. Even with a pretty plain artist background, it wasn’t easy getting to where I’m at now. I’ve been in and out of therapy for issues relating to my time in the military. Therapy emotionally exhausted me and for years I had a brick wall of pent up emotions that cursed me with a creative block. I didn’t feel like myself without art, though. It took a very long time, but I’m happy to be back in the saddle and helping other artists make their way in the world.
To those young artists or people who are looking to start their own business, I’m just going to say the truth: it’s tough. It’s only going to get more rough as you ride the highs and lows of creative and mental strides. I suggest to find a good, long lasting therapist you really click with. Maybe get a good support group like friends, family, or a local bartender whose really good at listening. Whatever you end up choosing, you will always be improving, as long as you keep on going.
Pink Beetle helped me over come some of my own mental and emotional obstacles. Last thing I wanted to share for this question was how I chose the name. It started with my new obsession, gardening. Colorado has so many beetles that I kept finding a way into my plants. They scared me in the beginning. What if they bite? What if they hurt or eat my plants? After awhile, I found myself befriending random bugs, especially with moth season. They’ve even helped my garden grow stronger. I thought this phenomenon fit how I want people to see my brand and my story. A comfort, something always there, something simple, and maybe a new friend.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Oh I have the perfect plan! My best friend, my sister, just left town, but we always went out on first Fridays. They were our favorite times here. I’d start with a first Friday trip downtown. Hit up all the galleries I could find. Then, we always went to Tiki Bar to end the night. The LED peg boards and swings are so fun! The next couple days I’d take them to the incline for a calf workout, Yobel for sustainable clothing, Honey collective for super soft and comfy outfits, Tattered Cover for cozy book finds, Story Book brewing for fun beers, Mother Muffs for a greasy dinner and maybe some trivia, Heartshake for cute and supportive knick knacks, Hapke’s for little hats for our plants, the Living Room for more plants, Yoo Mae for USA road-trip sushi, Chiba bar for some sake bombs, Ed’s for some comics, Eyrie Castle for Tea, and so much more. Honestly, I think they’d have to stay for longer than a week. There’s so much in this fun little town.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My husband and sister have been amazing this last year. They’ve helped me set aside enough time to invest in my community and myself with Pink Beetle. As well, I’ve had many classmates and teachers who have been incredibly supportive through my lengthy start up process. I want to say thanks to all of you! You’re support means the world to me.

Website: https://pinkbeetlecollective.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/denanabenana?igshid=MjEwN2IyYWYwYw==

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/denanabenana?mibextid=LQQJ4d