Today we’d like to introduce you to Dasha Stone.
Hi Dasha, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I’ve always had a deep passion for art, starting in my childhood. I remember spending hours drawing and experimenting with colors, and that creative spark never really left me. My path took a different direction when I studied finance and economics, which gave me a strong analytical way of thinking and shaped how I approach my work today.
During my maternity leave, I truly reconnected with art. I began experimenting with different mediums and realized I was especially drawn to liquid ones—liquid inks, liquid acrylics, and eventually watercolors. I love working with movement, flow, and drops of color, and letting the medium almost lead the process.
This love for art, combined with my analytical mindset and interest in business and branding, shapes my approach to live sketching.
I aim not just for quick sketches, but for high-quality, thoughtful pieces that capture each person’s uniqueness. My goal is to capture their individuality and beauty in a short moment. I want to show that live sketching can be elevated and done with intention, depth, and artistry.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
No, it hasn’t been a smooth road—and honestly, I don’t think it ever is. I’m still learning and still facing challenges every day.
There are moments of doubt, moments when I’m not sure if I am going in the right direction, especially when I am balancing creativity, family (raising 3 kids), and building something of my own. Finding my voice as an artist takes time. Learning to trust my style, my pace, and my vision is not always easy.
Live sketching itself is also a challenge—it requires speed, focus, and confidence, all at the same time. You work live, in front of people, and there’s no second chance. That pressure can be intense, but it has helped me grow a lot.
Mental work and gym workouts help me a lot through this process. Even this year, I went through two deep personal retreats, and for the first time, I practiced standing on nails. These experiences helped me work through fear, build resilience, and trust myself more deeply.
When I push myself to break mental blocks and stay consistent with physical activity, I notice that running my creative business becomes easier too. Discipline in my mind and body gives me more clarity, strength, and confidence in my work.
Every step, every difficulty, pushed me to refine my skills, strengthen my mindset, and become more intentional with my work. I see challenges not as obstacles, but as part of the process—and that process is still unfolding.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a watercolor illustrator and live sketch artist. I specialize in live sketching at events, where I create elegant, fashion-inspired portraits for guests in real time, with a strong focus on facial features and likeness. It’s very important to me that the portraits feel realistic, so guests can easily recognize themselves while still enjoying an artistic, refined style.
My work focuses on proportion, movement, and detail. I elongate the figure, emphasize posture, and carefully render clothing, fabrics, and expressions, keeping the sketches soft, fluid, and polished.
One thing that truly sets me apart is the way I feel people. I have a strong sense of empathy and genuinely see beauty and uniqueness in every person. I try to feel the essence of who they are, not just how they look. That’s why I often hear at events, “Oh, it looks exactly like me,” or “This feels so much like my friend.”
I mainly work with watercolors and charcoal, which allows the work to stay expressive while feeling complete and refined.
What I’m most proud of is the balance between speed and quality. Each sketch is created live, yet still feels personal and intentional. I approach live sketching as a refined craft, not just entertainment, and my goal is to elevate it into a meaningful and memorable artistic experience.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.dashasart.live
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dashasarty?igsh=MWl3MTFmdWVudmdvOQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dashasarty?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
Image Credits
Mylah Renae
