A local woman has been using her love of painting to spread positivity and colorful images during the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak.
Abby Dotson, 21, said she first began doing paintings in the windows of local businesses almost two years ago.
“I started doing Christmas window paintings in 2018. My first one was at Farmer’s Furniture,” she said. “Last year, I did them at Farmer’s, ETC, R&A Orchards and Double L Restaurant. I post them on Facebook and people (have) messaged me there and wanted me to come do one. I talk with them back and forth and see what they want.”
Dotson said she uses acrylic paints to create the murals, which, during the past couple of months, have brightened storefront windows at Faith, Hope and Charity Recycle Store and Double L Restaurant, as well as entrance windows at her place of employment, the county clerk of court office. There, the message “Be safe. Stay kind. This, too, shall pass,” greets those entering or passing by.
“Faith, Hope and Charity had wanted me to do their windows for Christmas last year, but it got so close to the holidays that I couldn’t do it. I did that one (this year) and it’s kind of picked up a little bit,” she said.
Cheryl Worley, board chairman of Faith, Hope and Charity Recycle Store Inc., noted the significance of Dotson’s painting with the message “We Are All in This Together” now in the window of the popular thrift store that’s been closed since March.
“We wanted our customers who were coming by the store to see if we were open to not just see the Closed Until Further Notice sign, but to let everyone know that our volunteers are right there with the shoppers. We all need FHC therapy, whether shopping or giving our time. The saying, ‘We Are All in This Together,’ held true even before the pandemic hit (because) our community thrift store is all of us, volunteers and shoppers,” Worley said.
Dotson, a Gilmer County native and 2017 Gilmer High School graduate, said she’s a recycle store customer and has also donated items to the store. She’s enjoyed shopping there since she was a child going on trips with her grandparents.
“Abby is a very talented young lady and the window she created for FHC is appreciated by everyone,” Worley said. “We’ve had so many positive comments on the Facebook page after the picture was posted. As Abby said, ‘There is light, even in the darkest of times.”’
Dotson has already received other artwork requests from local business owners and hopes to have their windows covered soon.
“I’ve painted since I was eight years old, anything I could get my hands on. (Whether it’s) drawing or painting, I like all of it,” she said.
“It’s something I like to do in my free time whenever I have enough time to do it. It’s kind of like stress relief, especially with everything that’s been going on lately.”