Visual Artist Spotlight: Darlene Curry
Visual Artist Spotlight: Darlene Curry
Q1.) When did you decide to become an artist?
A1. I think that I have probably been an artist for as long as I can remember. There was never a time in my childhood that I wasn’t introduced to some facet of the arts and I was constantly immersed in some creative endeavor or another. I always loved drawing, painting and making all sorts of things from jewelry to jewelry boxes. I loved those early years when you didn’t ever fret over it. You just did it!
Somehow I knew I was created to be creative and so I was. Even though my troubled youth I was creative,and then somewhere along the way I lost myself in more ways than one and the doubts came in to rob me, like a cold wind robs you of warmth.
Q2.) When, if at all, did you realize that God had called you to be an artist?
A2. It would be years before I knew that God was calling me to express the prophetic dreams and visions that flooded my heart, my mind, my eye gates. Once I did know, I had to scale the mountain of fear, which offered no foothold. I had to dodge the arrows of doubt and silence the accuser. It was a long and treacherous climb out of that pit of lies that says, “you’re not an artist”. “Its to late for you.”
I am so very thankful that the wooing and prodding of the King were much much stronger than the lies that swarmed about me like bees let loose from a hive. I know know without a shadow of a doubt that I am called to C0-create with the Creator. I feel deep with in my spirit a resurgence, an awakening of the artisan, craftsman, musician etc. I want to be smack dab in the middle of that!
Q3.) Where did you receive your training?
A3. I was never formally trained and for years that was one of my #1 regrets in life. I blew my big chance to go to the Maryland Institute of Art. God is so infinitely wise. Such a liberal environment would most likely not have helped my moral decline in that season of life.
I no longer hold regret, though I often have great desire to glean and grow and learn. The great news is who could be more fabulously creative than the Creator? Who is the greatest Helper ever? Who is my very best friend? So while I received no formal training, I get to learn from the Master!
Q4.)How did your training influence what you’re doing now?
A4. For a short season I did take a few lessons from an amazing artist who lived across the street from me. She showed me some very valuable foundations. I learned that it was o.k. that I was probably never going to love still life and landscape. I learned that I have a passion for color, vibrancy and fluid movement. I learned that I was me and not her and that was o.k. I learned that I am extremely eclectic which is wonderful yet sometimes completely overwhelming. I went deeper in God in pusuit of the reality of me. Sometimes that journey was fun and then other times…
Q5.)Please describe your art style and medium and why you chose that particular one (or how God influenced this choice).
A5. I love many mediums and am very eclectic in style. If I had to pick just one medium I would have to choose acrylic (Golden is my favorite). I also love pen and ink. It so depends on my mood and what the Lord is saying at the time. There are so many aspects that I deal with in each piece; sheer obedience, joy, faith , getting really lost in worship , getting really lost in His love, and sometimes deep groanings of the heart, like the sometimes burden of intercession.
While I use many different mediums in painting, I think my favorite is the acrylic because of the encounter that I had with God in overcoming fear and the lack of skill in using acrylic. That battle brought me to a place of deep intimacy and encounter with the Lord.
Q6.)What do you do or use to keep yourself inspired for your art work?
A6. I tend to be my own worst enemy when it comes to motivation. It is not for the lack of inspiration as one would suppose. I am usually brimming over with inspiration. My downfall is that I lead a very busy life that is always pouring into others and I forget to take/make time for me, the artist. I also am having trouble finding just the right space in my home. I long to have a studio.I have come to a decision however. I WAS BORN TO CREATE! I must make way for this!
Pope John Paul II -says this-“Artistic talent is a gift from God and whoever discovers it in himself has a certain obligation: to know that he cannot waste this talent, but must develop it.”
“The person born with a talent they are meant to use will find their greatest happiness in using it.” ― Johann Wolfgang von Goethe- writer, artist, and politician
I have come to the conclusion that I must BE; with all the fervor, passion and creativity that God created me to have. God has given me permission. I just need to agree with Him.
Q7.)In what ways do you incorporate God into your work?
A7. There is a part of God in every piece I create. Even if it its something I have done to remind myself not to be too serious. As I mentioned before, some of my pieces are visions that I have had from God. Some are things or times He has told me to create at a time when I was less than willing to do so. These are some of my favorites because of the invaluable lessons and the priceless encounters. Many are what has come out during times of worship or during a sacrifice of praise. My passionate desire is that who ever gazes upon my art will encounter/touch/see Him.
My artist friend Mary Hasz says ,”it doesn’t matter if it’s a stick figure or a dot on the canvas. The question is this…Did you worship Him?” My art is a weapon. It is my intimate worship between me and Him. Its very private and personal. I am working on more public painting; which at this time is to a degree outside my comfort zone.
Q8.) Is there a class or offer that you would like to share with my readers?
A8. I have held sporadic workshops through out the past couple of years. My vision now is to do them once a month, starting in Jan. 2013!
If you are interested in purchasing PRINTS or doing a workshop, contact me via e-mail at vastarmy@gmail.com or through Facebook!
I am also working on a gathering a company of pure hearted passionate worship warriors, musicians, at least 1 dozen drummers and hand percussionists, singers, artisans, dancers, skilled craftsman in metalwork, leather, wood etc., flaggers, creative writers, photographers, basket weavers, film writers, mime, drama and theater, street evangelist, workers of textiles, jewelers, potters, stone cutters, glass blowers, sound and computer techs, web designers, etc. I want to start an ARTELUTION REVELUTION!!! I want the mountains of ARTS ENTERTAINMENT AND MEDIA!!!
My husband and I have a great desire to start a supernatural school of ministry for prophetic arts and street ministry/outreach.
I am at present working on designing a website with a friend of mine. You can view a lot of my work on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Darlene-Curry/159281834125403
I have a few posts on Pinterest. Many of my posts are also in Prophetic Arts For Jesus on FB.
Q9.) Any final thoughts about sharing your art work with my blog readers?
A9. If I had one parting word of encouragement to my readers, it would be this… BE CREATIVE. Your creative ability and talent is a gift from God given specifically to you for the benefit of others.
“Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.” 1 Peter 4:10
As an artist the pursuit and development of your talent is important because there is someone out there who needs what you can do. God foresaw to equip you with the gift and talent that you have because He also foresaw how He needed it used to benefit others. Go bless and be blessed.
ARTIST BIO: Darlene Curry
My name is Darlene & I live on the east coast in a small town near Annapolis, Maryland.I’m a passionate lover of the Lord Jesus Christ.I have an amazing husband named Roy. Three fantastic children,Sean,April & Raymond. I have an awesome son-in-law Lucas,who has a voice of pure gold and a heart to match. Last ,but not least I am the proud G.G. of two of the cutest grandsons ever seen.
Darlene can be contacted on Facebook under her name Darlene Curry or her email vastarmy@gmail.com
(c) 2012 Cheryl Cope
Cheryl Cope on Google+