More Than A Hobby– An Interview With DeeJayBe of DeeJayBe Studios

Customizing model horses and equine-based art is a common past-time of many horse crazy kids. But what if you could make money off of your hobbies?

That is exactly what DeeJayBe, Youtuber and professional equine artist, does for a living. And since I knew that many of you readers are fans of DeeJayBe’s work with model horse customizing, I thought I would reach out to her for an interview about her work. She accepted, and I am very pleased to bring the interview to you today.

Q1. How did you become horse crazy?

I like to say I was born with it. It just always seemed to be there. My mom was a horse person in her youth, so I was exposed to horses in different situations growing up. She fostered the love of model horses by giving me a collection at a young age. We lived on a small property with several real horses over the years and I became an active rider in my teenage years. I found horses to be the most interesting and continuous muse for my artwork as well. I cannot truly say where it came from, I just always loved horses the most!   

Q2. When did you first start customizing model horses?

I always collected Breyer model horses and knew of customizing through the hobby. I officially started my studio in 2017 when I was struggling with my situation. I was working in the animation industry and felt frustrated by the digital landscape. I was losing touch with my personal creativity and artwork that led me to the career initially. I wanted to create something tangible with my hands and away from a screen. I gathered some supplies and gave it a solid effort. Because of the focus on the equine form, it was instantly a love like no other and I have not looked back since. 

Q3. What made you decide to pursue art and customizing as a career?

I never actually wanted to be an artist by career and actively pursued other traditional jobs. It was originally a fun hobby that gave me purpose and practice in the arts. I did not put pressure on what it could be, and it naturally grew into something bigger than I anticipated. I let it be a side- hustle for a very long time as I worked multiple jobs to make ends meet. As it grew and I became recognized, the idea of quitting my job and becoming a full-time artist was just as exciting as it was scary. I had to prove to myself it was viable and eventually it made more sense financially and emotionally to focus on it entirely. I felt a strong shift, pull and belief that I could do it. Once I had the mental clarity, things really fell into place. I think my entire journey up until that point was pointing me exactly where I needed to be. Most of the skills I learned along the way are utilized in my business today. I truly believe this is my purpose and was always meant to be.  

Q4. What skills did you need to learn to pursue it successfully?

I think time and patience are the two biggest factors. Art is not easy or inherent. It takes repetition, perseverance and focus. There is also an enormous amount of study in understanding the anatomy, biomechanics, genetics and traits of the horse. I work every single day on bettering my skills and still continue to learn and grow with each new project. I have to be open to learning and taking critique. I have to be brave in outreach to others and proud of each piece in growth and improvement. I have to be unafraid to try new things and share my journey along the way. 

Q5. If someone wanted to pursue model horse customizing or equine-based art as a business, what resources and/or tips would you recommend to them?

Being creative on demand is not easy, and turning art into a job is not for everyone. It also does not have to be a job for everyone. Art can be a therapy and hobby without putting the pressure of business or sales onto it. You can always do it for fun. I would recommend that mental approach to starting out. Running your own business is a whole other skill set that is more about marketing, finance and planning than it is about creating the art. Being realistic, prepared and interested in that side of things is also very important. Do your research and put in the good work. Start small and keep expectations low. Reach out to people in a similar position for mentorship. Use social media to promote yourself. Business must grow organically and will have lots of trials and errors. I think pursuing art as a career has to have passion and practice behind it before it can launch. Eventually you will surprise yourself with the outcome, but success will not happen overnight.  

Q6. What is one thing you didn’t expect about the equine art entrepreneur world, whether skills you needed, challenges you faced,  or even the audience you wanted to reach?

I never expected the power and reach of sharing my journey openly. I started my YouTube channel and social media platforms alongside the studio. I have used them to share content of my process, discoveries and ideas as well as the need for tutorials in the medium. I do my best to be an honest, positive and helpful resource for those looking to start out or needing help, escape or joy. These efforts have been rewarded with an influx of wonderful stories, tearful moments and excited fans all over the world. I never could have dreamed of inspiring and helping so many in their own artistic, hobby or horse-loving journey. Being an influencer of sorts, has shown me this passion has the ability to bring mentorship and light as well as so many unique opportunities. It has been a wonderful surprise.

Q7. The world of equine art is highly congested and hard to compete in. What tips would you give for making your products and brand stand out?

I think every industry and area of work is saturated to some degree. The best thing you can do is be yourself. Nobody can do art or life the way you do. We bring our own unique experiences, style and perspectives to the table. Being genuine goes a lot farther than chasing financial gain, fame or what is trending. People want to see refreshing ideas and you have the power to create just that, by fostering yourself. It is far more gratifying to be in a place where you are loved and honored for exactly who you are. Crafting and sharing your work in this way also allows a piece of your soul to be out in the world for all to love and cherish. I encourage you to get out there and do the same, in whatever way speaks the most to you! 

About the Artist:

Darynn Bednarczyk is a professional model horse customizer and artist famous for her extreme Breyer custom tutorial videos, which can found on her Youtube channel at : www.youtube.com/deejaybestudios. You can also find her at:

Website: www.deejaybe.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/deejaybestudios
Facebook: www.facebook.com/deejaybestudios
TikTok: @deejaybestudios