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Peace River FCA

Peace River FCA

Darlene Dautel

Darlene Dautel headshotCreating art has been a life long passion of mine. I was fortunate enough to take my first painting workshop 36 years ago, and have not put down a brush since. I made my start with oil in 1984, and started to dabble in Water Colour in 1990. Then discovered Batik in 1993, and onto Encaustic in 2007. Presently I am working in many mediums depending on the subject matter.

Although I have no formal training I have enjoyed numerous short courses over the years with more than 25 Artists from around the world.

Since 1987 I have shown my work extensively throughout the Peace Regions of both B.C. and Alberta. With 15 solo exhibitions and countless group and juried, exhibitions. In 2010 I became an active member with the Federation of Canadian Artists. Since I have had over 50 works juried into Federation shows. In 2012 I was honored with a civic award of excellence in Beaverlodge Alberta, for my volunteerism and dedication to the Arts.

I am a firm believer in promoting the arts and have spent countless hours teaching students of all ages. I spent 20 years working at the Beaverlodge Cultural Centre as Education Co-ordinator, as well as working with the Prairie Gallery’s Artist In The Classroom Program. Presently I own and operate, MOONFLOWER – Studio of Fine Art, in Grand Forks, B.C. Where I pursue my own career as well as teach a variety of classes.

My work can be found in numerous private and public collections reaching across Canada, USA, Great Britain, Scotland, Germany and Japan.

Artists Statement

'I am not sure if being an Artist is a choice, a calling, or perhaps even a curse, but I do know that it is my passion. For me it is not even the finished product as much as the process. I paint for myself first and every piece is a challenge to learn something new. I am compelled to know how things are created and to very much be a part of that process. To get my ideas from my head to the canvas is merely the reward.

I have heard some artist’s say that they fear the blank page. For me it is totally different there is nothing more exciting than having that blank white surface in front of me, with all my tools at the ready. I have visualized the finished piece long before it is started, and then the challenge begins to find the skill to portray my ideas. Definitely a large part of being an artist is practice, practice, and more practice, but the exciting part comes from the inspiration, that light bulb moment, when an image or idea intrigues you enough to get you moving. To make it important enough for you to spend your valuable time on it, and rewarding enough for you to finish it. There is not a better feeling than when you know it is finished. Whether it has come easily or been a struggle from the very first brush strokes it is truly your own and the best that you can do in that moment. Having others take the time to stop and think about, admire it, or even criticize it, just completes the process.'

studio.moonflower@gmail.com