Holly and Daniel are airbrush artists.

 

Armed with airbrush guns, the Destin duo determines the direction of the air, the angle the paint needs to flow, and how much pressure to apply for the next color. They feel out the surface of the painting using only their minds and skillful eyes.

 

“It is the most versatile art form I have ever come across. There is no mixing. You just fade and blend colors seamlessly,” Daniel says. “You’re not touching any surface. You can go from doing something soft and make it change just by moving your finger a bit.”

 

Different than painting with a brush, a person cannot just pick up an airbrush and paint colors across a canvas. Airbrushing takes dedicated skill, natural ability, patience and a good understanding of how the equipment works.

 

“In airbrushing, you have to work with the actual mechanism,” Holly says. “You have to clean it, unclog it and sometimes it just doesn’t work right – you have to fight hard for it.”

 

For this reason Holly and Daniel keep multiple airbrush guns on hand.

 

“If you don’t have a bunch of guns with a bunch of bottles with different paint in them, every time you want to change a color you have to clean out the gun,” Daniel says.

 

Airbrush artists have many choices to make when deciding which airbrush guns they will use. Holly compares airbrushes to cars.

 

“With airbrush guns, there are different brands of them just like there are different brands of cars. We prefer the Eclipse as most airbrush artists do.”

 

The airbrush is then attached to a hose and an air compressor. Colors are carefully selected and loaded into the gun.

 

After the tools are ready to go, it is time to start filling the desired surface with color. Airbrushing can satisfy even the impatient artist’s need to create.

 

“Airbrushing is different than acrylics when you have to wait for hours for it to dry so you can do the next layer,” Holly says. “With airbrushing, you can pretty much get instant gratification and paint the next layer right away.”

 

Because airbrushing is so popular, Holly and Daniel have no trouble finding work and putting food on the table.

 

“Most artists really struggle to make a living, but airbrushing gives you this unique ability to earn a living and practice art,” Daniel explains. “You’re making your money during the spring and summer, and you have all this time after that for doing things you actually want to do.”

 

Holly and Daniel work at Sunsations in Destin. They make most of their money from February to August during prime tourist season, which allows them time to focus on school and other art during the off-season. The experience has been very positive, allowing great flexibility for the couple.

 

“I wouldn’t look anywhere else,” he says. “We have a prime spot. Once you find a good spot you don’t really want to go anywhere else unless you know that place is going to be busier.”

 

Working at Sunsations has paved the way for many opportunities for the young artists.

 

“I have never had so many people so interested in my artwork. It has really helped me get out there as an artist,” Holly says. “To do things for tourists is great, these people are coming from all over the country bringing our artwork back with them to their home town.”

 

By working in a hotspot for Destin’s tourism industry, Holly and Daniel put more than just their art to the test.

 

“You’ve got to be able to paint angry,” Holly says. “When you’re airbrushing you have to deal with the rude customers. Even when they make you angry, you still have to keep calm and do your job.”

 

“As an airbrush artist if you have the ability to sass, it is priceless,” Daniel adds.

 

With so many airbrush artists catering to tourists on the Emerald Coast, Holly and Daniel have found their uniqueness in style.

 

“We kind of have a new age feel with our artwork. It is not traditional, and it has nothing to do with our medium – it is just the style,” Holly says.

 

The Dowdens have another edge on airbrush artists in the area – Holly and Daniel work as a team.

 

“Aside from people forming partnerships or friends from working together, I think we have a special bonding because we are husband and wife,” Holly explains. “Having that kind of dependability on each other and being able to learn off of each other and train together means the world.”

 

When Holly and Daniel are not working at Sunsations, they attend school at Okaloosa-Walton College, working with other experienced artists.

 

It did not take long for OWC’s art department to recognize the Dowdens for their special talents.

 

In 2007 Holly won “Best in Show” at OWC’s Arnie Hart Juried Student Exhibition.

 

Recalling the evening Holly smiles, “They called my name very last. I couldn’t believe it. It was incredible.”

 

With the many tools and paints available, it is impossible to pick up an airbrush and miraculously be able to paint. However, with a little instruction and practice, an airbrush artist can eventually emerge.

 

Daniel says that above all else some artistic ability must exist prior to picking up the airbrush gun.

 

“I don’t know anyone that can airbrush well if they don’t already have artistic abilities.”

 

Holly encourages interested artists to look to someone experienced in airbrushing before attempting to learn it on their own.

 

“It is definitely an apprentice kind of thing. You need to find someone and talk to them about learning. Ninety-nine percent of artists are visual learners so having someone there that is showing you is key.”

 

Daniel agrees with Holly that if you want to become good, you have to get help. “I have watched a lot of the videos and still they are not as helpful as having that personal connection in someone’s life.”

 

Airbrush artists must dedicate themselves to staying on top of the craft.

 

“This is not an art that can ever be perfected,” Holly says. “You never learn everything. You are always learning. You never get to the point where you are like, ‘OK, I’ve made it as an airbrush artist.’ There’s always room for improvement.”

 

To learn more about Holly or Daniel Dowden, visit MySpace: