Meet local mom Dana Clifford, a full-time school-based physical therapist, artist, and the creative owner of her web-based storefront, Art By Dana Patrish.
Name Dana Clifford
Company name Art by Dana Patrish
Family (names/ages) Kevin, Ryan (age 9), Allison (age 7)
Job Title Full-Time School-Based Physical Therapist | Small Business Owner & Artistic Multi-Medium Creator
Pet Bodie (dog, age 12)
Contact info ArtbyDanaPatrish@gmail.com | www.artbydanapatrish.com
Instagram: @ArtbyDanaPatrish
How long have you lived here and what brought you to town?
My husband and I have lived in Cranford for 8 years. We fell in love with the town while passing through for a wedding a few towns away. It was a beautiful Spring day and we saw so many kids on bikes and tons of people out and about downtown. We knew right then that we wanted to raise a family here.
What are your favorite family activities?
When we’re not at the baseball field, we love going to the beach!
What’s your favorite restaurant and/or place to shop?
We love sushi and hibachi from Mr. Bin, delicious treats from Delice Macaron, brick oven pizza from Sapore di Italia, and brunch at Cranford Station House.
What was the best advice on motherhood that you ever received?
“You can’t pour from an empty cup.” Engaging in self-care, including finding a hobby that you really enjoy, can offer an invaluable opportunity to recharge and rejuvenate when you feel burnt out.
Tell us about your job or passion.
PT: I am a school-based physical therapist in NYC. I work with students who have physical disabilities by helping to improve their motor skills and functional mobility, which allows them to access their school environment as safely and as independently as possible. In order to keep my students engaged in their sessions, I get to flex my creative muscles as we play games, build obstacle courses, and turn exercises and stretches into fun activities, often utilizing toys and therapy equipment in new ways.
Art: During the pandemic, I found myself immersed in the world of teletherapy for my students while simultaneously assisting with online schooling for my own children. Eventually, I turned to art as a way to decompress and escape the chaos of day-to-day stress. What started as a therapeutic outlet soon turned into a passion. I began experimenting with different techniques and mediums, and soon Art by Dana Patrish was born. My specialties are Fluid Art (also known as acrylic pour paint) on canvas, ceramic coasters, and handmade jewelry, as well as Textured wall art on canvas where I create minimalist abstract pieces with joint compound and paint.
What inspired you to follow this career?
PT: I always knew I wanted to work in the healthcare industry, and helping someone bounce back from an injury or improve their function lost from a disease or ailment seemed like the perfect fit. I have worked in various settings and school-based physical therapy is without a doubt the most rewarding (and at times the most challenging!)
Art: Since I was young, I have always loved drawing, coloring, and painting. As I have been able to experiment with different types of art and as my skills have improved over time, I can truly say I absolutely love creating the pieces in my collections. I decided to take the leap and put myself and my work out there after tons of encouragement and support from my family and friends. I launched my website, www.ArtbyDanaPatrish.com in January 2023.
Anything we missed?
For a full description of how we create our one-of-a-kind pieces, please check out the Art by Dana Patrish website or follow us on Instagram. We will do custom orders, commissions, and will also personalize coasters and texture pieces.
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