ABOUT ME
• TRADITIONAL ARTIST• EQUINE ENTHUSIAST • DESIGNER •
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I have always been an artist.
I have always loved horses. I grew up in a small town on 5 acres, surrounded by the Canadian Rockies. As a child I lived the rural lifestyle, raising & caring for many different kinds of animals. These animals were my closest friends, companions and muse for my creative mind. The equine was specifically fascinating to me. I was born with a love for these creatures, and I would observe them, admire them, adore them, and attempt to capture their beauty within my artwork |
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In my teenage years, I would draw as much as I could. Everyday. It became a form of escape, when life got difficult or whenever I felt an overwhelming emotion, I would draw. It was my expression. I started out with lots of character work, always of animals. These characters had stories, personalities and lived in worlds of their own. As I matured, I began experimenting with charcoal, paints, ink and any other medium I could get my hands on. I became fascinated with all the forms of expression: digital arts, film, photography, writing, sculpting, sewing, dance. No matter if I was good at it or not, I tried it and practiced it, because it freed my soul in a way I could not shake. |
I developed a strong interest in photo realistic drawing using graphite & charcoal. My keen eye for shading and details quickly turned these portraits into business where I was able to sell my art locally. I was commissioned to draw people’s pets from 2010-2014. It was an exciting time. I started entering my work into fairs and competitions to see how it compared to the rest of the world and to my surprise it did quite well.
This was when I realized, I could do this for the rest of my life. I was recognized by some magazines, and my television station. I also was fortunate enough to receive first prize in the Canada wide Royal Canadian Legion Poster Contest and was invited to Ottawa to meet the highest representatives of Canada. My art was taking me places I could have never dreamed.
The art world is so vast. There are many different careers paths to take. Film always stood out to me as one of the most powerful art forms. All these characters I drew and created could be brought to life through animation and when they are watched on the screen, we feel for them. This was a media that combined everything I loved about each art form.
In the fall of 2014 I decided to move away from my beloved family, and animal counterparts to start a new chapter at Vancouver Film School.
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I studied for two years at VFS enrolling in Foundations of Art and Design & 3D Animation and VFX. Through the course of these two years, I explored myself, my art and fell in love with every aspect of creating. It was challenging, but so rewarding. My second year project “From Here To” is a perfect example of just how much I was able to achieve. The film went on to be screened at the International Vancouver Film Festival and toured around the world. I have not only been able to create characters, but provoke emotion to my audience. I always carry the strong theme of animal-human bond in my work. Because that is what I deem most important.
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In 2019 I realized just how important the lifestyle I used to live was. I worked in animation for two years, bouncing around studios, contract to contract. I learnt so much, had a lot of fun but also a lot of hardship. I struggled to find comfort within the city. I missed my horses, the physical world, the mountains. Being bound to a computer 8 hours a day, although creative, was not healthy for my mind or my soul.
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Amidst my depression I stumbled across model horse painting. Lacking the real horse connection day to day & the physical art forms I grew up loving, I thought model horses would be a perfect realm. They not only combined my love of equine, but the physical aspect of creating. It was an instant love like no other. I grew quickly and was able to sell my work to collectors & start my own tutorial YouTube channel. This 'hobby' was a love that has shown me what is really important in my life.
I am not an artist employee. I am an artist. I will always be making, creating, learning, growing... But on my own terms. I am a sole proprietor of my own business, rather than a small part of of someone else's business. I have my own visions and interests to pursue. Somedays it's hard to do art as a 'job', but it is the only job I can see myself doing. It consumes me. |
While working on the Netflix feature film "The Willoughbys" I made the heartbreaking decision to move back to my hometown and quit the animation industry. Instantly my world opened up again, and the desire to build & create my own business has been stronger than ever. I am thrilled to be a part of a community that respects what I do, allows me to work from home & pursue my passion. I am thankful for this art that combines all my loves together. I am able to paint horses, admire horses, sell my work, film tutorials and silly videos & make friends from all over the world.
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I do not know where my arts will take me, it is constantly evolving & changing. I will always continue to chase my dreams, start projects that push my abilities and challenge the medium. I want to create work that moves people, inspires them and maybe someday changes the world...
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Art has given me a voice.
This webpage is a compilation of my work over the years. As well as links to my external pages on social media. Thank you for visiting, reading, and admiring my work Feel free to contact me with inquiries, questions or comments -Darynn |
LINKS
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EDUCATION
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AWARDS
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PUBLICATIONS
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