About Us – BeArtFullyHappy

WHO WE ARE

Artfully Happy / The Art of Healing

The Story behind the artist

Welcome to Artfully Happy The Art of Healing. Desra and Duane Harrington have been married for over 13 years but have known each other for over 22 years and counting. They both had rough childhoods. Duane was bounced from one living situation to another and in and out of foster homes. Desra struggled through Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) as well as a challenging marriage for 18 years prior to meeting Duane. After many years of trauma and abuse growing up Desra seeked help at 48 years young while facing a brick wall mentally. Some can understand that your life doesn’t mean much unless you are capable of putting meaning to it and struggling to find purpose was all she could think about.

Through counseling she found out that she could draw and paint. And because of art the healing process was set in motion. Soon after that she started going to church and was baptized receiving her personal walk with Jesus Christ. Then Covid-2019 happened, losing family and Duane fighting for his life thrown in their face; they become even more resilient and stronger in their faith and beliefs. Desra quit her art and for 3 years Desra got her Bachelor’s degree online in Behavioral Health Sciences. After graduation Desra is working part time as a Behavioral Therapist with children that struggle with Autism.
With the combination of Duane helping in the community at a local food bank and Desra surviving her past both exhibit compassion for helping others. Their tag line and favorite saying is “Be Artfully Happy”. Art is an enrichment of the deeper parts of your being and healing becomes a byproduct. This is how the name for the business developed as “Artfully Happy The Art of Healing”.

Mission

To help God’s people no matter who you are or what your life is like, to grow spiritually and mentally, to inspire, and be artfully happy and take that into the world to share with others.

Ephesians 2:10 (NLT)

“We are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.“ God is no amateur potter, but an artisan who has already begun to shape us into a masterpiece. God sees potential in us that we cannot grasp.