Daily Inspiration: Meet Daneeca Medina

Today we’d like to introduce you to Daneeca Medina.

Hi Daneeca, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am a professional etchasketch artist. I discovered my talent in college at Colorado State University randomly in 2016. My roommate had a classic etchasketch on the dining room table, I saw it and was intrigued. “What is that?” I asked, “you’ve never played on an etchasketch before?” My roommate replied. “No, I’ve never seen one before. How does it work?!” My roommate showed me how it worked. I ended up “playing” on the toy for over 5 hours that night and drew a masterpiece. The next day, I attended my daily classes. This time, I brought the etchasketch to class. I started asking my classmates if they could draw something, anything on the classic toy. Student after student, teacher after teacher… I realized no one else could actually draw using the etchasketch! Astonished by my discovery, I made an Instagram account and called myself the EtchasketchQueen. Go to college kids, you will never know what you discover about yourselves.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Each day is like opening up a new etchasketch canvas. It’s clean, a new start, and there are endless possibilities to make something of it. The last 6 years have been challenging. I’ve been accused of not actually drawing the images on the etchasketch, I’ve been told not to pursue art, that it’s a waste of time, that I will never make a career out of it. That I’m childish, weird, different. I didn’t care, I let those words fuel my drive to inspire people to be more creative. To encourage others to do something different.

One of the hardest challenges I have personally faced is breaking the stigma of the term “starving artist.” Yes, my art is amazing. Yes, my art is unique and different and cool and all these things but after six years of constant progress and growth, I would think I could pay my bills and make a living off just the art I created, right? Unfortunately, I still have two part-time jobs and am still struggling to make ends meet.

I believe that is changing! I’ve been getting myself out there, I’ve been on Channel 2 News, been on a couple of radio stations sharing my music as well, growing all my social media accounts, and selling merchandise, prints and stickers. I have been constantly updating my website, introducing myself to new people, getting out of my comfort zone, networking myself, reaching out and asking for help. It’s a constant battle. It is a challenge.

I believe it is all paying off! I am finally bearing the fruit from the seeds I planted six years ago. Just know, never give up your passion. Never let anyone tell you you’re not worthy. You will get there.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am known as the EtchasketchQueen. I am a professional etchasketch artist. I have my own website called Daneeca.art, where I sell merchandise. All my art is made on the etchasketch then transferred to other forms like limited edition series. So far, I have three series out. Series one is a white T-shirt. There are 50 total limited edition tees called an abstract self-portrait. The image was heat pressed onto the tee. Those are all sold out. Series two is a black camouflage style hoodie with an etchasketch patch embroidered on the left chest called natures kiss. There were 24 total, I still have a few left. Series three was also a black camouflage hoodie. There were 25 total, they have snoopy on roller skates on the back and a roller blade with flowers coming out on the front left chest printed in puff paint color white. Those are all sold out. Series four will be a black tee shirt with Schroeder on an etchasketch from the peanuts gang printed on the back. There will be 50 total available. Aside from merchandise, I take requests for designs and draw them on an etchasketch then can have them make into stickers. I charge a flat rate of $50.00 to mock up the design to be transferred to stickers. I can draw logos, names, brands…etc.

I am hired for private, professional events as entertainment. I can project what I’m drawing in real-time so people can watch me draw their logos live. I am hired for birthday parties, special events and more to draw people’s faces or names in under 3 minutes. I am famous in Colorado and am known as the EtchasketchQueen. I don’t disappoint.

I am most proud of myself for sticking to it. At any point along this journey, I could have thrown in the towel and said this is too hard. I’m proud of myself for making it on the news. For representing my family and slowly changing our legacy. I think my passion for what I do sets me apart, even though it is a child toy, such a silly concept, I am a beautiful person, a believer in God and can trust my craft and the journey because of the support I have along the way.

What was your favorite childhood memory?
I grew up in a small, quaint town called Alamosa Co. We grew up extremely poor. I remember a time when I was 5 or six years old when my grandma and grandpa asked if I could help pull weeds in the backyard. My grandpa said I’ll give you a penny for every weed you pull.” “Challenge excepted”, I agreed.

Six hours later I had stacked three large trash bags full of weeds. Over 300 weeds pulled. “Here is five dollars, you earned it.” Said grampa.

Later that day, we went to the gas station. I have three sisters. My sisters wanted to get hot Cheetos but they didn’t have any money. I went into the store and came back with 4 bags of hot Cheetos. “Where did you get money from?” My sister asked. For every weed I pulled, I got one penny. I pulled 500 weeds. Therefore, I had five dollars.

I enjoy this memory because I learned so much that day. I learned that money comes and goes in droves. I learned that hard work gives you what you want. I learned the importance of sharing, I learned about exchanging gifts and the importance of family.

Pricing:

• Special request for a design on etchasketch is $50.00
• EtchasketchQueen Stickers with design 2$ Per sticker

Contact Info:

• Website: Daneeca.art
• Instagram: @etchasketchqueen
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/etchasketchqueen
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCBXZehb0FGImTIFvRBZX7kA
• SoundCloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/VWhJCzURFC2nEAmi9 

Image Credits
Daneeca Medina EtchasketchQueen