Artist Profile: Darlene Wilkinson
October 16, 2008 by Cyndi Lavin
Filed under Home & Living
Artist: Darlene Wilkinson, or some call me HugGeR
Business name: Art-Ticulation
Location: Virginia
Blog:
Art-Ticulation
The choice for the business name came about because I had a website and since it started with an A it would be best for search engines. The rest just seemed to fit my art and attitude.
My work is both altered and multi mixed media, I have learned, experimented and mastered different disciplines and the different disciplines meld together into altered or mixed media pieces. I love the way my muse takes me on the journey as I’m creating to include many disciplines in one piece. Then I go into a mode where I work intuitively, in other words it’s not unusual that hours go by without any notice that a meal time has gone by or day light is shining through my window. When the piece is finished I’m in AWE!!!
If I have to teach or give a speech somewhere or any other kind of commitments, I will set an alarm, because I can’t count on me to get up from a piece I’m creating. But on the other hand once I get back from any commitment and I start working again right where I left off back in the muse. It’s like magic!
My art speaks volumes about my life and where I’m at. But what I want my viewers to experience my art for themselves. Explore themselves, to find the best of themselves through it and so they can also feel joy in their hearts just by viewing it. I include a quote or quotes in most pieces of my art and it, has come about because it fits with a particular piece.
Art is an expression of life all that is going on around, in our lives, my beliefs, goals and dreams. I love texture, the smell of paint, getting dirty, seeing a piece shine, and really digging into a piece with my entire heart and soul and play to the hilt! I feel privileged that I have the ability and talent to create with so many different mediums and disciplines.
I did have formal training in what seems like another life time :>) I have taken a few classes here and there and have gone to a few retreats. But mainly I read a lot of books and experiment. I’m not afraid to try something new, or take a product far from where it was originally for. I hear artists all the time say, “I have never done that, and I’m scared to try it”….what is the worst thing that will happen? I don’t get things right the first time sometimes nor the 2nd or 3rd time but I plow through and finally am elated that I did my due diligence.
I can’t remember ever thinking I was an artist, hobbyist or crafter. I have created, played and worked, someone else ended up deeming me an artist! So after a while I just say, I’m an artist I don’t really feel one way or another for the word. My life is all about creating and living that creative life, that is really most of what I do.
The tool I could not live without is my imagination! How could any creative soul on this earth ever exist without imagination?
Everything inspires me: the sky, water, trees, old things, rusty things, other’s creations, blogs, websites, words, quotes, objects. There is so much in my world that ignites me, I end up with more ideas than I could possibly create in my lifetime.
When life gets in the way or I loose my focus through problems or stress, I go to my GO TO journal. I only go to this journal when the negative of the dualities creep in and I can’t get rid of it quickly. I do what I call a negative page full of all the negative emotions I’m feeling, then I wait a bit, meditate, then do a positive page or solution page. I usually only have to do this once. This is a very large journal 20′ x 13′ but only has about 6 spreads done in it. I believe my art keeps me in check, it’s like having my own therapist!
I have found by getting out of my own way and stepping out of my comfort zone works best to help myself get promoted. I ask around to see where I can show and then make myself do it. Self promotion is one of the hardest things I and other artists have said they have to do. I just push myself no matter how uncomfortable it is for me. So if you are interested in getting into Galleries, just submit something anything, trust in your self. If it’s for a publication, wait till there is a call for art and create a piece for it. Don’t let the inner critic come into play, just plug on forward create the art and mail it off or send photos. After it’s done you will see how it feels, journal your feelings and then go forward for a bigger dreams. It will get easier as you step further into where you want to be. Trust in yourself and trust your work IS good enough, you are good enough. Tell your inner critic to take a walk it can come back later.
Teaching art and lecturing on it, takes up a lot of my time outside of making art. I also am the Art Education Chair Person for a gallery, so I’m always looking for local teachers or artists to do workshops. In addition I have a Mixed Media Art Club so that takes planning and due diligence. I love meditating, making my hubby happy, meeting up with friends and hanging with nature. So I would say the majority of my time is creating art, helping people find their own muse and organizing artist’s studios.
I’d like to thank Cyndi for the thought invoking questions, and the direction.
I’m ending with a quote I can feel in my bones and share with my heart:
“You can do, create, and express anything you want if you will give up the belief that you can’t.”
~The Modern Day Muse, Audacity
Well Darlene aka Hugger I enjoyed reading your thoughts and you are so right about telling that critic to take a walk… I never do, always doubt myself so I will think of your end quote whenever negativity is sitting on my shoulder.
Love the idea about your Journal with the positive and negative another thing to do.
Great article from a very talented lady – Darlene Rocks!!!1
What a wonderful gift you have, girl…how do you ever get down or into a negative zone with your philosophy? I think you are on the right track to having a very, very full life! You GO, girl!!! What great pieces you’ve done…(a comment from someone who doesn’t normally appreciate abstraction.)
This is more than an artist profile. It’s also a muse about how to create. I love the part about art being like your own therapist and how to push past your inner critic and just create and submit and show.
Thank you Darlene. And thank you Cyndi.
I’ve been known to say that art is cheaper than therapy and a lot more fun. It IS more fun, but cheaper, I’m not so sure. I love the idea of your GO TO journal. Great way to work out the stress of life. Your comment about telling your inner critic to take a walk is a great mantra! Keep up the great work!
Love that positive attitude and the inspiring art!
Awesome – you are! I think you just explained bliss
Darlene – You are very talented and this is a great profile to get to know you. Hugs.
We have very similiar feelings re art and our creative ways! I use art to help me celebrate occurances in my life and heal sad times. It is my therapy!
You have a wonderful space here!
You are on a parallel to many artists, I believe. How lovely of you to share your intuitive ideas!
Carol@Swallowcliffs
Oh Darlene, this is marvelous!
Good work! Very wise!
I think I’ll create a go to journal as well!
I’m so humbled by all of your comments. Thank you so very much.
darlene AkA HuggeR
Wow! Love what you do! Keep it up!
Oh wow, I love your work. You have a talent for working with a variety of mediums. I love what your mention of the “negative of the dualities”. It is hard sometimes to live in the now and realize everything and everyone are “one”. I find that working with my art is a meditation.
Well done! Because we’ve been friends for years I’m thrilled that the word is getting out about you and your art! Hugs back at ya!
great, fearless attitude- love the energy in your work. i’m inspired!
What a wonderful article. So positive & so inspiring. It was just what I needed this afternoon! I think I will go back & read it again & maybe again:>) Your work is fabulous! Thank You!
Wow Darlene! Thank you so much for sharing yourself and perspective on art with us all. I know that I connect with much of what you said and can really appreciate your vision. One of my new favorite quotes is from Albert Einstein “Anyone who has never made a mistake, has never tried anything new”. I am energized.
I love your site.
I have it bookmarked.
You are an inspiration.
Wonder-full Darlene! Just like you!
You always put a positive spin on anything within your sensory range. Full of vibrant joy, you are delight in this world as is your art.
Great artwork, but I especially liked the piece called MOMENTS with the adult hand and the child’s hand. I love it! I have an “idea book” but will probably never live long enough to do them all. As, I too, am inspired by everything around me.
Hugger what a God given gift you have been given! Thanks for sharing. Montana gal.
Hi Dar! I’m so darn proud of you, for this amazing profile. I read and savored every word you wrote, and learned things about you I didn’t know before. You have an amazing and uplifting and positive attitude about art, and about life. I’ve always loved, admired, and appreciated that about you.
Your art is very singular, very unique, very YOU! Also very beautiful and oh so INSPIRING, as you are as an artist, and a person. Your wonderful profile opens the door into your thinking, your creativity….that allows me and others to connect with in a very basic and artistic way.
Totally great profile, Dar!!! I really, really enjoyed reading it. And also am so grateful to consider you a friend, and an artist I know personally, over the time we’ve known each other. I’m also proud to be an owner of your art — the wonderful doll you sent me, which sits on a table in my bedroom.
So glad and honored to know you. Knowing you has helped me, on my own art journey and adventure. Too bad we live so far apart….it would be so great if we could someday meet in person!
Heartfelt congratulations and kudos to you, for this wonderful profile, and for your beautiful and bold art!!!
Well said, well imagined, well executed…wonderful art and profile!!! Many thanks for sharing. Whereabouts are you in Virginia? I am near Warrenton/Culpeper…are you anywgere close? Where is your Art Group? So many questions, so much admiration…many thanks!
Love the art work!!!!! Cindi
Hello Darlene, As someone starting out on an art journey (it’s been one year now), learning from books, some one day courses, joining online trading groups, I have to say that you are an inspiration to me. I have yet to find my niche and have my fingers in almost every type of art. I know it will come just as it did for you. If you can do it, so can I. Thank you for such a stimulating endorsement for “just doing it”.
Lanise
The club meets in Fredericksburg VA at the FCCA Gallery. Email me and I will send you the information and you can decide for ypourself.
Wow.. everyone has said what I am also feeling about your work. You are inspiration; we can all learn from you. Thank you!!
WOW! You are an inspiration. I have to say that I truly love something about each of the showcased pieces. Excellent artwork. Thanks for sharing this link on the Pennywisearts Yahoo Group.
Wow Darlene! Your art simply rocks. I especially love your collages. Pretty comprehensive profile too.
Such prolificacy from an obviously fertile imagination! You are an inspiration to me to keep pushing through my own seasons of drought and barrenness. Thank you!
Hi My Friend,
Great work. I have my two favorites. I’m sure because you know me that you know which two.
Once again thank you thank you thank you to everyone that has commented here, on my blog, privately and in the yahoo groups. I appreciate every single salutary word!
Great interview. Very inspirational. I love that you have dabbled in so many mediums and have done such great things with your talent–and yet, you’re still approachable, and giving.
Great art what you say about just going for it is really great. Most people go for perfection the first time. But I say what is perfection? Enjoy the journey.