Taking a trip down Main Street, one might notice some unique paintings on several business windows, creative images put onto glass by local woman Amanda Dotson.
Dotson currently works security at the Cassville Dispensary, and she formerly worked at Walmart in asset protection.
“I started in Cassville, but ended up in Neosho,” she said. “Before that, I owned Messy Apron Canvas and Crafts in Cassville.”
Dotson said she had to close her shop up when she got a better job working for Walmart.
“I would teach painting classes,” she said. “Now, I do that at Pot of Coffee, called ‘Puff, Puff, Paint’ every other week. About four years ago, I did some windows for Christmas time.”
Dotson said she also does face painting at events, specifically when she goes to a Razorback game, but it includes birthday parties.
“I always paint the windows for the Noel Post Office for Christmas,” she said. “I think it would be great if the whole square got together and had their windows painted, especially for Christmas. It would be great to have theme that went with the Christmas parade and everyone was in it together. I like to see things like that, like how you see town squares in the movies.”
Dotson said window painting can really show the felling of a tight community.
“Growing up, I was in and out of artistic hobbies,” she said. “I remember in third grade I would draw faces and horses. I remember thinking I wanted to be an artist or a musician.” However, Dotson aid she didn’t really explore her artistic side until her mom passed away.
“We went to a painting class together in August 2015,” Dotson said. “A month later, she killed herself. I started going every month, and the instructor said, ‘Why don’t you teach your own class?’” That is when Dotson opened Messy Apron Canvas and Crafts.
“Now, I am painting again and I enjoy it a lot,” she said. “Pricing on window painting depends on the size and details of what you want. The time it takes also depends on the details, size and the weather.
“The paint will stay on the window until you scrape it off.”
Dotson said there is a window that has had the same paint on it for five years.
“I will remove the paint if you are getting a new design,” she said. “Facebook is the best way to get a hold of me to paint your windows. There are lots of examples of what I have done on there too.”
People can see Dotson’s work, book her, and see other details about painting lessons on Facebook at Messy Apron Canvas and Crafts or text her at 417-671-1681.
