Today we’d like to introduce you to Camilla Spadafino.
Hi Camilla, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My story starts in a small town in West Tennessee, where my grandparents’ music-filled home inspired me. My grandmother’s house in Milan was like a living, breathing art installation. My uncle filled it with his paintings and sculptures, and it was the most magical, inspiring place I’d ever been. That early exposure to creativity rooted something deep in me.
I studied art formally, but a huge part of my journey has been shaped by teaching. I spent two decades as a public and private school art teacher here in Nashville. I loved it—and I learned so much about people, process, and resilience. But I also saw firsthand how underfunded and undervalued arts education can be. That lit a fire in me to create work that wasn’t just beautiful, but also connective—work that could bridge communities and make art more accessible.
Still, none of this would have been possible without my husband. He has been my advisor, my supporter, and my hands-on partner in every step of this journey. I truly couldn’t have done my life—or my art business—without him. With over 30 years of teaching experience, he brings wisdom, encouragement, and a steady presence to everything we build together. From packaging kits to talking through ideas late at night, he is absolutely essential to our shared success.
Together, we launched Paint the Town by Numbers, a line of locally themed paint-by-number kits that are part nostalgia, part public art, and part creative empowerment. That project grew into School Spirit Fundraising, where we help schools raise much-needed funds through joyful, community-centered art featuring custom Fine yART mascots.
On the fine art side, I also create mixed-media works and whimsical yard art as part of my Fine yART series, which has been exhibited in juried shows and collected across the region. That part of my work is deeply personal—my own space to explore concept, storytelling, and transformation through color, texture, and scale.
Right now, I’m seeking a residency that’s a great fit for my varied artistic voices and love of working across media. Every project—whether solo or collaborative—feels like an extension of that early impulse I felt in my grandmother’s house: a calling to turn everyday surroundings into something magical.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Before I stumbled onto the paint-by-number kits, I tried out a lot of different ideas—some worked, some didn’t. The first kit came from pure impulse. I wanted to tell a story about Nashville in a way that felt both nostalgic and hands-on. That first design took off, and suddenly I had a business growing while I was still teaching full-time and raising a family. It was a wild (and very full) season of life.
One of the biggest early challenges was sourcing materials. There was a lot of trial and error—getting the right paint consistency, finding packaging that worked, figuring out what could be produced locally. That’s why, for the past five years, we’ve committed to making our kits right here in Nashville using paint from Kentucky—keeping it close to home and supporting other local businesses.
As the business grew, so did the partnership with my husband. Working side-by-side with someone you love is a huge gift—but like anything real and worthwhile, it also comes with challenges. We’ve had to learn how to shape individual identities within our shared creative world, figure out where our strengths overlap and where they diverge, and accept that those roles are always evolving. To work this way, you have to be deeply forgiving, flexible, and willing to laugh when the glue explodes or the printer jams at the worst possible time. But the payoff is huge: we get to build something meaningful together, and that’s a rare and beautiful thing.
Now, the challenge is figuring out how to juggle it all. Between Paint the Town by Numbers, Fine yART, mixed media work, and school fundraisers, I wear a lot of creative hats. But I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’ve learned to trust the process, honor my creative impulses, and keep building toward something joyful and meaningful—with a lot of love and teamwork behind every brushstroke.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
This year, I’m honored to be the featured artist for the official 2025 Tomato Art Fest—a full-circle moment for a festival that has played such a big role in my creative journey. We’ve also been nationally recognized by Amazon as a small business success story, and our paint-by-number kits have been carried by Barnes & Noble, Blick Art Materials, and independent shops across the country. Sharing our story on local Nashville television has been another joyful way to connect with the community and celebrate the heart behind the work.
When I say “we,” I’m talking about the creative partnership I share with my husband. None of this would be possible without him. He brings over 30 years of experience in education, and his insight, patience, and steady presence are essential to everything we do. From building display structures and troubleshooting tech to offering feedback and packing orders, he’s involved in every aspect. His deep knowledge of teaching and learning keeps me informed, grounded, and constantly inspired. Our work is a true collaboration—rooted in mutual respect, shared purpose, and a whole lot of love.
Artmaking takes many forms in our world, and we’ve never been ones to stay in a single lane. Labels like “fine artist” or “commercial artist” have never quite fit. One day we’re designing a paint-by-number kit, the next we’re bedazzling a giant Fine yART sign, and the day after that we’re sketching ideas for a collaborative public installation. Curiosity, play, and experimentation are always leading the way.
What makes us proudest is creating work that sparks connection and joy. Whether it’s a kid painting their school mascot, a parent buying a gift that becomes a keepsake, or a neighbor stopping in their tracks at a front-yard art piece, we think deeply about how people experience our work. That approach was shaped by years of teaching, and it continues to ground everything we do.
Every detail is designed with care—from how kits are packaged and labeled, to how schools access fundraising tools, to how a collector feels when they unbox their first piece of Fine yART. Accessibility, warmth, and a little bit of magic are woven into each step.
Looking ahead, we’re dreaming bigger. Large-scale installations that mix textiles, sculpture, storytelling, and sound are on the horizon—immersive spaces where people can gather, reflect, and co-create. We’re actively seeking a residency that aligns with that vision and supports this next chapter.
What sets us apart? We don’t wait for permission. We follow the spark, stay open to evolution, and build the bridge as we walk it—always with creativity, collaboration, and community at the center.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
One of the most grounding parts of my life has been being part of an East Nashville book club that has met monthly for over 20 years. It’s a group of thoughtful, creative, curious women, and it has been a constant source of connection and perspective through so many chapters of life.
These days, I’ve become more of an audiobook listener—usually while painting, packaging, or driving between projects. Some recent favorites include Cloud Cuckoo Land, All the Light We Cannot See, North Woods, Demon Copperhead, and House of Rain. I love stories that layer time, place, and perspective, and that explore the interconnectedness of people and histories.
I also listen to a wide range of podcasts—everything from featured episodes from The Wall Street Journal to storytelling and news segments from NPR. I try to cast a wide net when it comes to information sources. I believe truth lives in the overlaps, and the more I listen, the more it expands. That curiosity—about people, about systems, about the world—keeps me growing, questioning, and creating.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://paintthetownbynumbers.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/camilla_spadafino
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/camilla-spadafino-731195a/
