Dawn Hough Sebaugh – Artist / Photographer / Philanthropist

I have had such an amazing life.

I was born and raised in Mooresville, North Carolina. I have degrees in Marketing and Color and Design. Moved to New York, then Denver (got married), moved to Woodland Hills CA (where the Northridge Earthquake destroyed our home), and finally to our beautiful home here in the Mount Helix area.

My business career started in the construction industry. I built a $20 Million-dollar commercial building as one of the first female project managers in Colorado. Then I decided that interior design and marble and granite were what I enjoyed most. So, over the next few years, I worked on and designed numerous commercial buildings, hotels, and large government projects. After projects were delayed by unkept vendor promises of deliveries, I decided to sell marble, tile, and finishes for these types of projects and spent the next 25 years doing just that, including managing numerous salespeople around the United States.

After some medical issues that precluded me from working in this industry, I went to work for a local lifestyle magazine as an Artistic Director. I also sold advertising as a business development specialist, promoted and managed events including working with vendors, and even did the photography. It was a wonderful experience, and I met a lot of great people!

My artistic journey started with abstract painting in my very young years. and I founded a company called MaraDawn Studios. Over the last 40 years, I have done numerous gallery shows, authored an art book, judged the Congressional Art Competition for several years, and even had one of my paintings hung in the California State Capitol. My paintings have been featured in many magazines around the country and sold all over the world.

I really love to paint but I knew there was more I wanted to do so I started a Fashion Design Company in 2018 called Wear Art Live Art (WALA). I paint an abstract, have it printed onto fabric, and design apparel that is one of a kind. Women, including me, don’t want to attend events wearing something identical to others – we want to be unique! WALA fashion provides the perfect solution!

I love to do fashion shows and photoshoots with my beautiful models, and I am so fortunate that I have been able to incorporate my love of photography, abstract paintings, and fashion design.

Giving back to the community is something very important to me. Over the years I have donated a number of my paintings to private charities, including but not limited to the Sherman Oaks Burn Center (children’s wing) – Los Angeles. UNICEF, Global Giving, Rescue Task Force – San Diego, Artists With Brain Injuries – Los Angeles, The Fund For Women Artists – Florence Massachusetts, Burn Survivors Throughout The World Inc. – Sarasota Florida, Mended Little Hearts – Dallas Texas, Sunflower, Doctors without Borders, Galapagos Conservancy, Association of the Hole in the Wall Camps – New Haven Connecticut, Save the Dalmatians and Others Canine Rescue Inc. – Gardena, California, USO Council of San Diego, Autism Research Institute – San Diego, American Red Cross Alabama Gulf Coast Chapter, Susan G Komen 3 Day for the Cure – San Diego and the St. Germaine Auxiliary for the Child Abuse Foundation of San Diego. For the last 28 years, my husband and I also provide Christmas presents and Santa for a family of 44 physically and mentally handicapped kids here in our East San Diego County neighborhood each year.

Oh, I also have managed Congressional campaigns and am very active in Republican politics.

WALA Model  Abby Wadsworth Boretto