Meet Deborah of DKS Studios: Helping Students Discover Their Inner Artist

At Crisanthemum Studios, we love instructors who do more than teach a skill. We love instructors who help people feel brave enough to begin. Deborah King S. of DKS Studios does exactly that.

Deborah teaches a wide range of creative workshops, including watercolor painting, watercolor sketching, pen & ink, colored pencil techniques, mixed media journaling, basic drawing, Christmas cards, and more. What makes her classes especially memorable is not only her experience, but the atmosphere she creates. Her goal is simple and powerful: help people relax, have fun, and enjoy creative processes they may never have thought they could do.

She loves those moments when students surprise themselves. The smile that comes with, “I did this.” The delight of, “It turned out better than I thought.” The joy of, “This was fun — I wish I’d tried it sooner.” For Deborah, that is where the magic really happens.

Her own creative story stretches back as far as she can remember. Deborah has explored drawing, crochet, cross stitch, sewing, ceramics, painting, pastels, and more — pretty much anything she could get her hands on. Primarily self-taught, she learned by doing, and that hands-on, curious approach still shapes the way she teaches today.

Over the years, her creative life has included work in graphic design, illustration, and computer design. She has entered art competitions, served on the board of several art guilds, exhibited work in galleries, and served as Artist in Residence at two state parks. That breadth of experience gives her a strong technical foundation, but what students will notice most is how approachable she makes the process feel.

Deborah’s classes are designed for people to try something new without pressure. Students do not have to invest in a long supply list just to find out whether they enjoy a medium. She builds classes so that beginners can show up, learn, experiment, and have fun. Her projects are created with newcomers in mind, and she paints along with students so they can see exactly how it is done.

Her message to nervous beginners is one we love: give something new a try. Don’t overthink it — just do it. You may surprise yourself and discover an inner artist you did not know was there.

That philosophy fits beautifully at Crisanthemum Studios. We believe creativity should be welcoming, not intimidating. We believe people need spaces where they can experiment, learn, and enjoy the process without worrying about perfection. Deborah’s classes offer exactly that kind of experience.

And in case you need one more reason to love her, Deborah also enjoys gardening — both vegetables and flowers — and woodworking, and she has her own power tools. That mix of creativity, practicality, and adventurousness feels just right for the kind of artist and teacher she is.

If you’ve been looking for watercolor classes in Pilot Mountain, pen & ink workshops near Mount Airy, or a creative studio where beginners are truly welcome, Deborah’s classes are a beautiful place to begin.

Upcoming classes with Deborah at Crisanthemum Studios:

• Mr. Pea Watercolor — June 11, 6:00–8:00 PM

• 2-Week Pen & Ink with Watercolor Wash — June 18 & 25, 6:00–8:00 PM

At Crisanthemum Studios, we’re proud to partner with instructors who help people feel more confident, more creative, and more connected. Deborah brings all of that to the table — with talent, encouragement, and a reminder that it isn’t about perfection. It’s about having fun and being perfectly you.