PHOTO CREDIT: Above photo by John Rickman Photography, San Jose, California.

Misty's artwork above was inspired by this photo of Shira.

PHOTO CREDIT: Photo by John Rickman Photography, San Jose, California.

Misty Dawn Waggoner was born in South Texas to a Mexican/Portuguese mother and a German/English father, in a household where music was always playing and dance was always encouraged. In 1991, her mother Diana had an accident that left her paralyzed, and the whole family relocated to a small town right outside Austin, Texas. It was there where she found her love of art at a young age, and starting in 2002 she got her degree in Visual Communication and became a Graphic Designer.

On the family's yearly trip to Las Vegas in 2007, Misty saw a small belly dance troupe perform live. It made her fall in love with the dance, and it was then that she knew she had to learn it. Back in Austin, she found Bahaia of Austin Bellydance and started taking classes with her. A year later Misty was in a dance troupe, and she also performed duets and solos every now and then.

Misty now stays and works from home while caring for both of her parents. She runs an Etsy shop called Paradise Vintage Jewelry with her mom, who has been collecting and selling vintage jewelry and other items since the 1960's. It's there where Misty also offers one of a kind belly dance shirts, caps, vintage tapestries, and custom glittered tumblers, which she loves to make. She finds inspiration in belly dance, and since January 2018 she has been creating digital watercolors portraits of her fellow dancers, which can be seen at Tiny Pink Waffles on Facebook. Contact Misty if you Like a digital watercolor Portrait of yourself.