Light On Life:  When did you first discover that you wanted to be an artist?

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Dina:  I don't know if I chose to be an artist, or if "being an artist" chose me! lol. Like many, I was creative from as early in childhood as I can remember. I did have a very serious accident in my 30's though, that proved to me that my time (and body!) is fragile and that spending my time on a path that wasn't my destiny while my art took a backseat was no longer an option. I do believe that in part the accident I had (a horse I was riding tripped and fell on a steep rocky trail with me still on his back) was meant to be and I even wonder if I subconsciously caused it or drew myself to a situation that would give me an "escape route" from the lifestyle I had chosen, which was not fulfilling to me. After my accident, I was unable to return to work for a time, during which I made the decision to sell my home, scale way back, and concentrate on healing my body and returning to my art.

 

Light On Life:  How did becoming a professional artist change your life?

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Dina:  Becoming a professional artist was a major financial sacrifice. Not only in having less in the way of material wealth, but in the insecurity of working for myself and also the challenges of obtaining credit, proving income, finding health insurance, etc that many self-employed people deal with. I think that has changed a little with the recent "gig economy" but I know in my initial years "self employed artist" was perceived as 'unemployed'. As a person who stepped down from a fairly expensive lifestyle to the instability of painting for a living, I can assure you that taking that leap is daunting and I respect all of my fellow artists who are brave enough and devoted enough to do it. That being said; becoming a professional artist also opened doors to a myriad of activities that I truly enjoy and a way of relating to the world that feels relevant and meaningful.

 

Light On Life: You grew up in California, then lived in Hawaii, and now in Tennessee. How did living in these different locations with such varied landscapes and lifestyles affect your work?

 

Dina:  I would say moving to Hawaii had the biggest influence on my work of any regional factor. Surprisingly, because I never really did paint tropical scenes or art that would be considered "Hawaiian". But the color of the islands was a big influence, and the great cultural diversity. I grew up in coastal Southern California, which is quite open and progressive culturally, but upon moving to Hawaii I really became much more in touch with various Asian cultures and spiritual practices. I lived on the windward side of the big island, which is sort of known as hippie paradise. Living there in a very rural area on the edge of the rainforest and within 10 miles of the active volcano allowed me to soak in the influence of the Earth as well as notice the underlying similarities of many world religions coming together on a small island. I became much more aware of a "current" of spiritual connection between all living things, and a need to explore that through my art.

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Light On Life: What serves as the predominant inspiration for your art?

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Dina:  Inspiration for my art is found in nature and the animals with whom we share our planet. Although the style and subject may vary, my work has always been about a deep sacred bond between humanity and nature. They are us... we are them.

 

Light On Life: You have painted the Buddha, the Chinese Goddess Kuan Yin and works in several other mystical themes. What led you to paint this iconic spiritually-based art?

 

Dina:  I paint these images to honor the principles represented and because I find those principles beautiful and believe the world needs them right now. 

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Light On Life:  Do you see art as a way to express and further spirituality in this age?

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Dina:  Absolutely! In fact, it may even be the best way to express spirituality in its pure form; without ego-based judgement or religious identity. I love that art has the ability to dwell outside of those restrictions, and instead to reach deeper into a subconscious place that to me is more real and meaningful. Somehow our inner self seems to recognize something much more profound than what our eyes perceive, and this transcends the artificial barriers that we as humans like to build.

 

Light On Life:  Is there an overall theme or message that you seek to convey through your work?

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Dina:  This question means a lot to me and is hard to answer. I am so grateful to have the ability to deliver a message through my art, and it is probably the single most important driving force in my life. It's about oneness and who we are at our spiritual core, and our relationship to the other living things on this planet. But it isn't my place to define or restrict this message. I believe that the intention of the artist is felt by those who are receptive to it. As my work has become simpler and more "vague"; less defined, it seems to be resonating even more with the viewer. I have a sense that by leaving that door open the message is more accessible and the intention more clear.

 

Light On Life:  Do you consider visual art as a healing medium, for yourself or others? 

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Dina:  I know that art can be a healing medium for many. A Christian artist friend once said to me that God created us in his image, so we are all creators. I do think that restraining or denying one's need to create can lead to a very frustrating existence. There are things that cannot be said with words: the words aren't precise or sublte enough, or the emotion is too vulnerable. I think art can serve as the language to express those things. Is art healing for me personally? sometimes, maybe. But not always. I am not really focused on expressing my self when I paint, but rather I am a conduit for something that needs to be said. Sometimes the message flows through me easily and other times it is really a challenge. The challenge can lead to frustration and feelings of self-doubt that I struggle with a lot. 

 

Light On Life:  You paint a variety of animal subjects, especially horses. How does your love and passion for animals affect your work as an artist?

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Dina: My love and passion for animals, and nature, effects my work in that before the paint even touches the canvas they are integral to every dream I have for myself and every hope I have for the world. A feeling of divine connection to the wild and oneness with it influences everything I do.

 

Light On Life:  Some of your art is whimsical, and other pieces are quite beautiful abstractions with washes of swirling light and color combinations. Some of your work is more realistic and detailed and some more abstract. Your color choices are vivid, yet your overall treatment on the canvas conveys a soft and captivatingly subtle affect, which is often quite ethereal in nature. Can you explain how you developed your signature style? 

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Dina:  Okay, first: I can't believe how much you know about my work! lol. I am so flattered!  Well, I dont know if I consciously planned my style. Probably most artists have a strong sense of what they like, and visualize how they would like to paint. And then part of it is probably what is comfortable or feels natural. For me, I like some looseness; some sense of movement. I like to use big fat brushes, make a pretty big mess with my paint and use a whole lot of it! That's just how I feel comfortable. That being said, I like the finished piece to still have a sense of refinement. And I like to think there is something left unsaid; there is a conversation that I have started, that is now the viewer's to finish or answer. I think trusting my own process and also giving myself license to play and experiment to some degree was critical to developing my creative style, although it's definitely still evolving and I like that freedom. I have pushed myself to paint in a certain style from time to time, but even when the results were technically good I often felt the piece seemed forced or overworked. Somehow the message was lost. Although it's not intentional, when I look at what have remained my favorite pieces or those I am most proud of, they definitely have strong similarities. So there you go; I guess that's my "look".

 

Light On Life:  What is the best reaction you've had from your painting? From a buyer or viewer?

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Dina:  I have been thrilled and amazed that on more than one occasion a viewer seemed to know more about one of my paintings than I did. I mean that in a subjective sense: I may have had a spark of a vision when I created a painting, and then somebody else could see the whole fire. And they were right! That's the amazing part. They told my story; the one I couldn't quite finish. Somehow they knew that story too. Those are the times that convince me beyond a doubt that art has the ability to transcend the material.

 

Light On Life: What advice can you share with aspiring artists?

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Dina:  Advice to aspiring artists: on the practical side, keep your expenses low and immerse yourself in your work as much as you can if that is your priority; life is short.  Get a good foundation of proper technique but follow your own vision, as Pablo Picasso said, "Learn the rules like a pro so you can break them like an artist". And most importantly; value yourself and your work. Have respect for it and know that you and your gift are a worthy, precious thing. I'm still working on that one.

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See more of Dina's art in the Light On Life gallery . . .

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For more information about Dina D'Argo and her art go to:  www.dinadargo.com

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Follow Dina on Facebook:  Unbridled: Fine Art by Dina D'Argo

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