Featured Artist | Darrell Black

Darrell Black

Frankfurt, Germany
http://darrell-black.pixels.com/
@definismart

My Darrell Urban Black, an American visual artist presently living in Frankfurt, Germany. I work in a variety of formats that include Pen and Ink drawings, acrylic paintings on canvas wood and Mixed media objects. My creative process is a mixture of works on paper, acrylic paint, found objects and non toxic hot glue which creates a three-dimensional effect on any surface that gives a sense of realism and presence in my artwork. I refer to this optical artistic illusion as “Definism” which portrays various differences in human nature from life’s everyday dramas to humankind’s quest to under-standing self. “My artworks transport viewers from the doldrums of their daily reality to a visual interpretation of another reality.”

Darrell Urban Black born in Brooklyn, New York, grew up in Far Rockaway and Brentwood Long Island New York. In high school, he excelled in science with an affinity for outer space. In June 1969, as America fulfilled J. F. Kennedy’s dream to put the American Stars and Stripes into the dusty surface of the moon Darrell’s fascination with spaceships grew. As a child he made spaceship models eventually placing his artistic visions on paper resulting in some 500 drawings. Phantasmal spaceships that eventually carried Darrell to a unique wonderland of strange forms and colors.

In 1982, he joined the National Guard. During this time his previous drawings were lost – but not his passion. In 1988, Darrell, joined the US Army and served another four years. Earned his Bachelor Degree in Science of Criminal Justice Administration at the University of Phoenix. In April 2001, Darrell, was nominated by the German government as a “candidate of the year’s prize for promising young artists” for his artwork titled “The Invasion” in the exhibition “The Zeppelin in Art, Design, and Advertisement,” shown between May and July 30, 2000, in the Frankfurt International Airport. Another piece referenced in the nomination letter, was titled “The Cosmic Shroud,” executed with a unique glue and acrylic on linen technique. The image was described as “universally appealing and representing a topic which concerns all of us – The Universe.” Darrell, had many local, national and international group art exhibitions. He has artwork permanently displayed in a number of art Galleries, Museums and other Institutions Worldwide. Darrell’s artwork has also been displayed on billboard in New York’s Times Square for the exhibition titled: “SeeMe Takes over Times Square 2014”

Darrell lives in Frankfurt, Germany and continues to draw and paint in pursuit of his artistic dreams. He’s a member of the Veteran Artist Program abroad (EuroVAP).

Empty Shell | Pen and Ink drawing | 11 in by 8 in
Empty Shell | Pen and Ink drawing | 11 in by 8 in
Self Portrait in the Age of Coronavirus | Pen and Ink drawing | 11 in by 8 in
Self Portrait in the Age of Coronavirus | Pen and Ink drawing | 11 in by 8 in
Dark Soul | Pen and Ink drawing | 11 in by 8 in
Dark Soul | Pen and Ink drawing | 11 in by 8 in
A Really Bad Trip | Pen and Ink drawing |  11in by 8 in
A Really Bad Trip | Pen and Ink drawing |
11in by 8 in

 

Featured Artist – Sam Ireland

Featured Artist – Sam Ireland

Featured Artist

Sam Ireland – Hampshire, UK
Instagram

Hi, I’m Sam.

So A little bit about me, I currently live in Hampshire, UK and love to draw/paint/make/do anything creative really. I was originally born in Faro, Portugal and moved to the Uk when I was around 5.

I have always had a fascination and love of art from as long as I can remember, I loved it at school and it was one of the few subjects I was really passionate about. After leaving school I went on to study further at the Birmingham Institute of Art and Design.

After taking a bit of time off for health reasons, I have recently got back into creating art more consistently and have found it to be extremely therapeutic! (cliche I know), and I’m now focused on further developing as a visual artist.

With my work, It’s hard to pinpoint what exactly influences me as I can grab inspiration from almost anything I see. I guess one of the strongest themes throughout my work is Mental health, in particular anxiety and depression and my experiences with it over the years. I find drawing to be a true escape for me and a way of releasing emotions and thoughts that spiral around in my mind.

Im also captivated by the human form, and people in general. I feel the human face and body give off such strong emotion that nothing else seems to match it. In my works I try to evoke emotion and mood through the use of strong lines, colour and text.

People often ask me what the meaning of my drawings are, and in particular they ask about the text. I try not to explain my drawings too much as, to be honest, I think it’s kind of boring to do so. I feel it’s much more interesting to leave the viewer to interpret the drawings in their own way and attach their own personal experiences and feelings on to them.

Basically, the ‘meaning’ of my work is whatever you want it to mean. I’m so grateful if you like my stuff, but in all honesty, It’s absolutely none of my business how it makes you feel. That’s personal to you.

I do however find it intriguing how my work can mean completely different things to different people. I’ve had someone see a piece as unsettling and sinister whereas another found it quite uplifting and happy (well, as happy as my work can be). I find these polar opposite feelings towards a single piece of work fascinating.

In regards to the words I use, they can come from anywhere really, from something that catches my ear on the street to a lyric that particularly resonates with me. Usually though, more often than not, they just stem from intrusive thoughts that enter my head.

I mostly work on small to medium sized pieces but it varies really depending on what kind of mood I’m in. I also prefer to work with a wide variety of materials. I find it way more exciting when I feel free to use whatever I want and I’m not just constrained to one particular medium. I’ll usually just rummage around and see what I can find to create the marks I want. At the moment though, I’m really into exploring ink and charcoal with watercolours.

And If I have any free time You can usually find me with a Bucket of coffee creating away, while Duncan (my little Jack Russell) sits in his bed watching me. Well, that’s a little bit of info about me and my work, I’m not too sure what else to say really.

To put it simply…I’m just a guy that likes drawing.

Thanks!

Sam

 Panacea #3 Medium Mixed media on paper Size 21.0cm x 29.7cm

Panacea #3
Mixed media on paper
21.0cm x 29.7cm
 Lies Medium Mixed media on paper Size 21.0cm x 29.7cm

Lies
Mixed media on paper
21.0cm x 29.7cm
 Topsy Medium Mixed media on paper Size 21.0cm x 29.7cm

Topsy
Mixed media on paper
21.0cm x 29.7cm
 Nothing comes Medium Mixed media on tan paper Size 21.0cm x 29.7cm

Nothing comes
Mixed media on tan paper
21.0cm x 29.7cm