Interview
Art Darling
Art Darling is a Wall Art, Home Decor and Accessories E-Commerce store founded by Canadian Multi-Media Artist, Rosaleen Kavanagh. Each piece is unique and created from a variety of different mediums, styles and techniques. Rosaleen Kavanagh's artwork can be found at www.artdarling.ca.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“I started my journey into the art world with encouragement from my Grandmother who I would do a lot of arts and crafts with after school and I realized at a very early age it was my favourite thing to do. I was constantly trying new art mediums growing up and learning different artistic skill sets and found this practice to be very successful in pushing my own creative boundaries and this is something I still practice to do this day.”
What inspires you?
“The art itself inspires me. I usually get a vision of what my next project is going to look like and make sure I have the right supplies and then get started. I let the artwork start to take on it's own shape organically and once I am happy with the piece I add it to my collection.”
What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?
“The biggest reoccurring theme in my work is the art of interpretation. Because a lot of it is abstract, people have their own unique perceptions about what the work is about and to me that is the most rewarding part of being an artist that the engagement between each person and each piece is so unique. Ultimately, I want my art to bring beauty, joy and wonder into the world.”
How would you describe your work?
“I would describe my work as unique, creative and otherworldly.”
Which artists influence you most?
“Initially, I was very inspired by Encaustic Canadian Artist Mary Ellen Chapman who was my high school art teacher who encouraged me to trust my instincts and not put any limitations on myself creatively. I've also had the privilege of working at traditional fine art galleries as well as aboriginal and glass art galleries so I've been consistently inspired by artists from around the world creating in many art forms. Some other artists that come to mind that have influenced me in one way or another are Salvador Dali, Stephen Howe, Marc Chagall, Hieronymus Bosch, Jackson Pollock, Susan Point, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Michelle Taras, Cindy Sherman, Andy Warhol, Yayoi Kusama, Lisa Rohrer, Joe Donohue, Susan Donohue and Dale Chihuly.”
“Ultimately, I want my art to bring beauty, joy and wonder into the world.”
What is your creative process like?
“It varies for every medium but for painting I usually get a vision, a quick flash out of the blue of a painting idea and if I feel connected to it enough I will start my next project right away with that vision in mind. I sometimes have a few completely different paintings going at the same time which I feel helps me focus strongly on making each piece very strong on their own. Once I'm happy with a painting, I date it, catalogue it and add it to my collection.”
What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?
“I feel every artist's role in society is unique to them. My role is that I want to bring beauty, joy, encourage happiness and imagination with each piece. With social media being as sophisticated as it is now, it's much easier for an artist work to be seen around the world and to connect with their right audience.”
Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?
“Two exhibits come to mind. The first one was a solo exhibit "Interpretations" where I had 25 pieces curated throughout the gallery and having the range and diversity in each piece was great because I felt that people gravitated to the pieces that spoke to them the most and their interpretations of these pieces varied so wildly from the person right next to them looking at the same piece that it just made me feel that the show and the artwork was a personal success and a real significant moment in my career. The other standout exhibit I had was "The Water Show" where a group of artists created artwork with the same theme. It was an amazing experience to just see how differently each artist was inspired by the theme itself, how each artists collection reflected their own unique artistic skillset and style and opening night for that show was packed wall to wall with so many amazing people and it really felt like a celebration of the arts and was a night I will never forget.”
