DARA DANIEL
FEATURED ARTIST MARCH 2018
I decided in the early 80's to move from my hometown in rural Michigan to study art in Northern
California. My education includes an MA degree from Humboldt State University, Arcata, California,
and a BA degree from Chico, California State University, Chico, CA. I also attended College of the
Siskiyous, Weed, California, Monterey Peninsula College, Monterey, California, and Lake Michigan
College, Benton Harbor, Michigan.
While attending college, I gained extensive experience in figure drawing and most painting mediums.
But, I mostly focused on sculpture techniques and the female form. My graduate show consisted of
life-sized, expressionistic, figurative sculptures made of cement and steel. After graduating, I
continued building sculptures from the same materials and also in wood and clay until 2009.
In 2010 I transitioned and began developing series of paintings first in Pastel then, in oil and Acrylics.
Also, when my medium changed so did my subject matter. Instead of the human form, I began
depicting nature, and my subjects include landscapes of wildflowers, trees with birds, marshes, and
creeks.
Since 2016 I have dedicated much of my creative time to developing a series of horse paintings along
with paintings of birds. Each of these subjects fuels my imagination for my artwork. Because I live in
the country and near a creek, birds surround me and give me ideas for paintings while adding
enjoyment and peace to my life. My horse paintings reflect my lifelong impressions of horses. I see
horses as symbols of freedom, perseverance, and strength. They have an earthy quality and at the same
time seem mystical to me.
To create my paintings of birds and horses, I use Acrylics and Acrylic mediums. I enjoy the versatility
and textural qualities achieved with these materials. Also, Acrylics allow me to be experimental and
intuitive during my process. I often apply generous layers of textures using palette knifes and molding
paste and sometimes incorporate mortar and sand with a binder for a gritty look.
For all my paintings, regardless of the subject or medium, I simplify and idealize my compositions and
arranging elements to accomplish visual balance. My color choices are inventive, often complementary
and not necessarily realistic. I usually choose to exaggerate color to convey moods. While I paint, I rely
on my innate sense of design and orchestrate all the available visual element: form, shape, line, and
color. As each painting evolves, I love the accidents that happen and being spontaneous is part of my
process. I often expose each layer of color here giving the viewer a sense of my process. When each
painting becomes lively and emotive, I discover what I need to do to bring each one to completion.
It is important to me to paint paintings that have personality and delight the viewer's visual sense. But,
most important is to create art that others can connect with on an emotional level. I have sincere
gratitude to those who find my artwork evocative. Here is a quote from one of my collectors: “The
painting is wonderful and arrived in perfect shape. We will be enjoying it for many years. Keep seeing
the world so imaginatively and letting the rest of us have a glimpse of that vision.”
Born to Run
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Three Swallows
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Red Horse
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