Today we’d like to introduce you to Daniel Curran.
Hi Daniel, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Thanks for having me. I will begin with something I’ve said many times, which is that art has been a part of my entire life and I can’t imagine my life without it. Since my earliest memories, I was in love with creating and building things. In the 90’s I would spend hours working away on these highly detailed symmetrical drawings and I knew at a young age that creating art was my purpose here.
Today I’d like to share how I became a painter. Early on, I mostly worked with pencil, charcoal and ink so everything was greyscale. Over time I improved my skills with drawing and began experimenting with different subject matter including landscapes, but I knew that these drawings needed something more.
At this time of my life, I had just left my hometown in the Boston area and had the great fortune to live on the beautiful island of Kauai, Hawaii. Here I entered into my first art show and won an award for one of my pencil drawings, and I got connected with the local art community.
It was also here that I discovered myself as a painter. I got a part-time job hand painting pottery for Banana Patch Studio and I met the tropical landscape artist, DJ Khamis who owned a gallery right on Lihue Harbor. He offered me an apprenticeship and taught me how to prepare canvases and showed me the basics of oil painting.
I spent many happy hours learning how to blend beautiful sunset skies and capturing the depth of the oceanside mountains that Hawaii is known for. I learned how to paint crashing waves and vibrant tropical water.
Some days we would just sit down and take in the stunning landscape around us and talk about all of the beautiful shades of blue and green. Seeing and studying the landscape was key to translating nature’s beauty onto the canvas.
Painting made me feel alive and connected to something greater than I had ever felt before. I knew that I had found my medium and I was ready to learn everything about it.
I went on to earn a BFA in painting and sculpture at the Atlanta College of Art (now scad). I began to paint with acrylics and have developed my ability to capture the essence of my subjects. I have painted landscapes, animals, and a large series of portraits of iconic people.
My ability to paint and express myself continues to grow.
Now, I paint live weekly and have work showing in several venues around Atlanta. I also attend art markets and festivals regionally and sell my work. My love for painting combined with a strong work ethic and positive attitude is how I got to where I am today.
And I’m looking forward to developing my art, expanding my offerings and continuing to translate what I see into art.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I think all artists know that there are obstacles and challenges that come along with pursuing a creative career. I have faced many external challenges including rejection, lack of support and negative criticism but some of the hardest challenges have been internal for me.
It is true that we can be our own worst critics, but we do not have to allow negative thoughts to take control. I have found that I must believe in my work and my abilities as a painter.
I have also learned along the way to relinquish any and all ideas of perfection. Absolutely nothing in this world will ever be perfect and so we must let go of this unattainable notion. We must move forward by accepting and learning from our mistakes.
It is important to celebrate the effort and dedication that you have put into your craft. That will help sustain you on your artistic journey.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My work as a painter has been a journey of gathering knowledge and experience to develop a unique style. My early work consisted of flat surfaces combined with a predominantly neutral palette. In art school, I began experimenting with textured surfaces on the canvas with an idea to create images by sculpting the canvas first and then working with multiple layers of paint in an impressionist like style. I was inspired by all of the impressionist painters, especially the works of Van Gogh.
After years of growth and experimentation, my work now consists of heavily textured surfaces with a palette of bold chromatic colors. I think people may know my work as a portrait painter since that has been my focus for the last several years. But I began my painting career with tropical landscapes and have recently returned to these roots with my new style. I am very proud of the progress that I have made as an artist. I have developed a cohesive body of work with vibrant colors and textures that make the viewer want to touch the surface.
Any big plans?
I know that I will continue painting and learning more about myself as an artist. I have recently decided that I am ready to return back to my roots as a landscape painter while bringing all of the knowledge and techniques I have developed along the way.
I have a vision of painting landscapes in a large format so that the viewer could imagine stepping right into the painting. I believe I will also continue painting portraits, but I keep an open mind on where my path will lead me next.
My main goal has always been to share my work with the world and contribute more positivity into our community. Watching my work bring a smile to someone’s face is one of the greatest rewards I can imagine.
Contact Info:
- Email: danielcurranart@gmail.com
- Website: www.danielcurranart.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/danielcurranart
- Facebook: Facebook.com/danielcurranart
- Twitter: Twitter.com/danielcurranart
Image Credits:
The 2 live painting shots are credited to Stephen Averett www.stephenaverettphoto.com Instagram @stephenaverettphoto
