Our Story
Studio 4Ten is your daily, inspirational photo blog… co-created by two Raleigh based artists (Shirley Polk and Dawn McDonald) who share a passion for photography… and a mother and father.
With their backgrounds and knowledge… they wanted to start a blog that not only offers visually pleasing pictures to stare at… but what inspires them personally as artists/photographers…as well as tips, tricks, how-to’s, links, project challenges, and everyone’s favorite… FREEbies!
The two grew up on “The Mill Hill” in a small country town at 410 North 9th Street. Unknowing at the time, they were blessed with an unusually crafty mother. She cut their hair, she made their clothes, she supplied their grade school classes with endless handmade projects and ideas… and she even had a barn in the backyard were she made and painted ceramics. All of this encouraged the girl’s imaginations. As they got older they began to discover their own, individual love for handmade art. They studied fine arts, art history, and photography both in and out of school… and even went on to win countless statewide awards. After graduation… they set out on their own creative journeys.
Shirley went off to college with a full Art Scholarship and received a degree in Graphic Design. Dawn was left back home in high school developing her eye for photography and fashion design; and planning dream houses for every city and small town in the world. Dawn later went off to school herself and studied Graphic Design, Photography, and Creative Writing.
In the adult world… Shirley tacked on 14 years of design experience before deciding she needed bigger challenges. The two started up a jewelry business in 2002 by the name of Shila Creations (a combination of their names). In 2004, they opened an Artisan Boutique in their hometown by the name of Petal Dust. The name was and unlikely pairing of magnetic poetry words on a refrigerator in Asheville, NC just years before the store opened.
Somewhere along the way… the two found husbands… and a daughter each of their own. In the midst of motherhood… they lost their minds they matured as artists. Now, with their hands in everything from mixed media, to digital scrapbooking, to home decor, to jewelry design… there is nothing these two aren’t getting into.
At Studio 4 Ten, you will view the world through two sets of gifted eyes and learn how they find beauty in the most unlikely places. They’re only hope… that you will be inspired.
