Quick Chats Artist of the Month Darla Wilson

Chatting with Natalie Tharraleos

Name: Darla Wilson

What inspires you to create your art?

I realized I felt strongly about experiences I’d had whilst being street homeless, and also the ones I hear about from others in the same position. I felt a need to express myself about this and other situations that affect working class people in their daily lives.

 Good artists look outward and take the time to observe what’s happening in the world. I told myself to do this more to help myself generally, as well as my artistic skills specifically.

I want to help others affected by homeless and other political issues that are eradicating our human rights, and to raise awareness in people generally in a creative and playful way, by depicting these situations on paper.

Is there a medium you most enjoy using ( ie paint, pencil, textile, wood etc) 

I like sketching with pencil on paper then adding some definitions and shadows with black ink, usually just using a biro.

What makes the creative process easy/challenging/fulfilling/sustainable for you?

An awareness of the need to keep improving my skills. An enjoyment of the process of drawing situations and the characters in them. A sense of making the viewer of my drawing think just a bit more

I’m saying to them this is how it is, look at what people are going through. Let’s be realistic.

Two things I love about art are the ability it has to transform difficult experiences into something beautiful and positive, and it’s enjoyable therapeutic value- like being a child again without guilt. Doing something fun and rewarding whenever and wherever you can.

Your message to others who want to earn from, celebrate or share their creativity.

Be true to yourself, and create what feels right to you. Be of value to other people by contributing something meaningful.