Type Of Business:
Custom fine art painter
Marketing Area:
National; International
Expertise:
Fine art; Painting with china paints, glass paints, oil paints and acrylics.
Major Product/SVS:
Painted tile designs for businesses and homes; Signs for interior or exterior use; Pet portraits; Oil paintings on canvas or wood
Hobbies/Sports:
Bible study,Painting; Gardening; Feeding and watching birds; Reading;; Boating; Water aerobics; Walking and hiking; Wine tasting
Education Degrees:
Diploma, Ashland Oregon Senior High School
State/Country of Origin:
CA/USA
Children's Names:
Brian, Cynthia
Date of Distinction:
8/4/2011
Work History:
She has been working with the public since the age of 12. Her father passed away shortly before her 12th birthday. Her mother, three siblings, and her ran a small country grocery store. After graduation, she worked in the field of banking for many years. When her children were out on their own, she started doing some painting, and this led to her career in painting tile and other fine art work.
Career Achievements:
To be a good Mom. The hand that rocks the cradle, rocks the world. Both of her children are an asset to society and she feels that is her greatest achievement.
What do you feel separates you from the rest of the professionals in your industry?:
Ms. Maddox is distinguished from other artists by the nature of her commitment to her clients; more than 20 years ago, she made a promise to God and herself that she would never send out any art that she would not put in her own home. On many occasions, she has found herself in her studio at 2:00 a.m., putting a finishing touch on a piece of tile to make it just right before it left the studio. She has never had to redo any artwork for clients because, she believes, she has been blessed with the gift of feeling in her heart what clients, both individuals and businesses, want to have painted.
What has been the most outstanding thing you have done thus far in your career?:
Her greatest career achievement is the ability to love what she does every day and to create art that brings people happiness; money can never replace the joy she has received from her work.
How would you like to be remembered by your peers?:
Ms. Maddox would like to be remembered, first of all, as mother and grandmother to her children and grandchildren, as they have added many hours of happiness and joy to her life. She would also like to be remembered as someone who has found true happiness in her life through her faith, family and friends. When she see smiles on the faces of her loved ones and friends and knows that she helped them to enjoy their lives, her own life is made even better. She would also like people to remember that her art has added another dimension of happiness to her life and the lives of people she has worked with.
If you could solve one problem in the world today, what would it be?:
If she had the power to do so, Ms. Maddox would give health and peace to everyone. She realizes that it's impossible to always take all the hurt out of life, but believes that if people help one another to the best of their ability, their lives will be made better. Although this may be a dream, Ms. Maddox has always felt that it is just as easy to dream an impossible dream as one that's very small and accomplishes very little.
If you could have lunch with anyone, dead or alive, who would it be and why?:
Her deceased mother, Grace Gibbel, because she taught her to be the person that she is today.
Expanded Biography:
Ms. Maddox counts her blessings each and every day as she feels that God has given her a good life. She acknowledges having had tough times, too, which she has dealt with by taking time to mourn and then moving on. Ms. Maddox chooses to be happy because she feels that life is a gift and wants to enjoy each minute granted to her. She also wants to spend each minute in a manner that helps others.
Throughout the duration of your career, what was the one highlight that stood out the most?:
The most gratifying aspect of her career has been meeting many wonderful people and making new friends as a result of her work. She also finds it rewarding to deliver tiles to her clients, who are pleased to see artwork that will evoke happy memories and be a source of enjoyment for many years to come.
Charity:
Volunteer and Supporter, Various Charitable Efforts, Local Lutheran Church; Lutheran World Relief; Local Charitable Groups
Number Of Years In Profession:
23
Number Of Years In Current Position:
23
What Does He/She Attribute Success To:
She attributes her success to the support of her family and friends, which enabled her to turn her God-given talent for artwork into a new business career. In addition, she has learned a lot "via the school of hard knocks."
Why did you become involved in your profession or industry?:
She became involved in her profession, after drawing and painting in oils as a hobby for many years, because she was inspired by the china plates one of her friends had painted; once she got her hands on china paints and a piece of tile, she knew she had found her niche in life.
Extended Bio Profile:
Ms. Maddox was raised by her stepmother, who will always be her mother in her heart and mind. She didn't know that her birth mother was an artist, but rather discovered her talent for artwork by accident, after her own son and daughter were grown. Ms. Maddox began by painting in oils, but eventually developed a desire to paint on china. After two years of searching, she finally found a teacher, an 82-year-old woman who charged her $1.00 per lesson. Ms. Maddox feels privileged to have been able to work with her for four years. As part of the deal, Ms. Maddox promised that if she ever met anyone who wanted to learn how to work with china paints, she would teach them for $1.00 a lesson. In the 23 years since that time, Ms. Maddox has helped two women in this way. She fell into her career of painting tile because she had heard that you could paint tile using china paint, and by chance met a lady who owned a tile shop. The shop owner said she would give Ms. Maddox some tile to paint if she would paint some she could use as presents. She was pleased with the results, and Ms. Maddox agreed to paint a special order now and then for clients who wanted something special for their homes. Ms. Maddox's business took off from there. She is very grateful to have found the dream job that all of us want and not too many are privileged to attain. Throughout the years, she has shipped tile all over the U.S. mainland, to Alaska and Hawaii, and to Ireland, Germany, Israel and Japan, and has made many wonderful friends. Above all, however, she is a happy and proud mother and grandmother; her grandson is currently 16 years old, and her granddaughter is 11.
Position Responsibilities and Duties:
Designing and hand-painting custom tiles; Painting on china; Painting animals, birds, sea life, and other subjects in oil on canvas; Interacting with customers
Awards/Honors:
Small Business of the Year, Network Solutions (2006)
Where Will You Be In 5 Years:
In five years, Ms. Maddox intends to expand her business.