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About Me

Hi, my name is Darlene.

Friends and family call me Dardet. I hail from Southern Appalachia where I was born, raised and still choose to live. I am an artist, author and educator. I am a nature-lover in every sense of the term. My spirituality and connection to the Divine are the most important things in my life.

I seek to portray the connection between nature and spirit in my work. In doing so, I personify the region of the place I'm painting in the form of a human being. The places are often real, the embodiment (human form) comes from my own inner visions. I believe, with everything inside me, that when we lose our connection to the natural world, it affects our experiences of the spiritual world.

In addition to art, I am also a poet and novelist. My literary works can be found wherever books are sold.

I also speak at a variety of venues (including YouTube) and use my arts to support literacy, culture, spirituality and all things that bring light, love and beauty to humanity. I believe each of us are a spark of eternal divinity housed in temporal bodies. I love to see the light in others spring to life when I have the courage to share mine.

I received my artistic and literary training from Lindsey Wilson College, Campbellsville University and Western Kentucky University. I am a member of the Sheltowee Artistans Guild, The Mysterium Society (Linguistic IQ), and the Elizabeth Maddox Roberts Poetry Society.

My art business has been designated as a "Trusted Art Seller" with The Art Storefronts Organization, which means you can shop with confidence, and know that I stand behind the quality and value of my products.

Community Involvement

I love to inspire others to pursue their passions and follow their bliss. Therefore, I enjoy public speaking and sharing my art and writing at a wide variety of venues. I gladly accept invitations to speak at book clubs, drug rehab centers, schools (elementary, middle schools, high schools and universities), local libraries, churches, and community centers.

Sketching children at a powow.

Teaching children about reptiles.

Speaking with students from Uganda during a reenactment.

Being part of a team that restored the Rosenwald school that my dad's siblings attended.

Playing a part in a television series aimed at providing acting experience and opportunities for young people in Eastern Kentucky.

Delivering food to families during the COVID shut down of 2020.

Promoting literacy amongst primary students by becoming the Cat in the Hat for a day.

Supporting America's oldest country store still in operation and run by a single family (Penn's Store in Gravel Switch, Kentucky) by doing an impromptu porch singing with friends.

Painting the spirit of Kokopeli at the Native Dawn Flute Festival at Fort Harrod.

Teaching a Native American tradition and language to a group in North Carolina.

speaking with Kentucky governor, Andy Brashear about Native American contributions to the Arts

Supporting Indigenous People's Day with two of my favorite musicians, Tony Cooper and Grammy winner, Bill Miller,

Performing at an establishment aimed at helping musicians.

Being part of a team of writers and artists who raised money for Camp Horsing Around in Perryville, Kentucky.

Along with fellow writer, Linda Prather, brilliant textile artist, Yolantha Pace and multi-award winning poet, Chad M. Horn, celebrating and supporting the Jeanne Penn Lane Writer's Celebration, originally known as Kentucky Writer's Day.

Proud to have known the outstanding Dr. H.R. Stonebach, brilliant academic, professor, scholar, folk singer and poet, founder of the Elizabeth Maddox Roberts Society, but more importantly, a friend to all who loved the world of lyric, symbolism and rhyme.

trusted

by artstorefronts

Trusted Art Seller

The presence of this badge signifies that this business has officially registered with the Art Storefronts Organization and has an established track record of selling art.

It also means that buyers can trust that they are buying from a legitimate business. Art sellers that conduct fraudulent activity or that receive numerous complaints from buyers will have this badge revoked. If you would like to file a complaint about this seller, please do so here.