Let us introduce you to one of our newer artists, Dina D’Argo!  Originally from San Diego, Dina now lives near Nashville and enjoys life with her horses and dogs when she is not in the studio. With bold brush strokes, lush colors, and textural elements, Dina D’Argo captures the grace and beauty of her subjects. An animal lover and horsewoman, her focus is on celebrating the bond between ourselves and nature.  Dina works mainly in acrylic on canvas, with a refined yet dramatic blend of abstract and representational styles.

What do you first do when you get to the studio in the morning?

My studio is on the rural property where I live. I like to have my animals around me when I work, so I let the dogs in, get their beds situated near the windows where they like them, and I bring my 2 horses in from the pasture so I can easily see them grazing and relaxing in the yard.

How many paintings do you work on at a time? 

I use many layers of color and also a number or texture products. I usually have one piece that I am really concentrating on, but possibly 2 or three more either in “prep” or “finishing touches” stages.

Do you have a dream project that you would like to work on? 

Yes; My husband (who is a writer) and I are planning to collaborate at some point to create a book of equine stories and artwork inspired by mythology from different cultures.

If you could paint with anyone, who would it be? 

I prefer to paint alone, but I would love to walk in the desert finding old bones and sticks with Georgia O’Keefe.

What’s your favorite way of generating ideas and inspiration?

Connecting with nature; just looking at the sky or the relationships of color, shape, and light found on our beautiful planet.

How has your art evolved over time? 

Over time, my work continues to become less defined and more intuitive. Simplification has become appealing to me, and I am compelled to “pare down” the subjects in my images yet still retain a sense of complexity in the overall composition.

What do you like most about your work?

To me, my paintings are simple on the surface, but have a strong sense of emotion to them.

I think I paint “feelings” more than images, and I love that people can connect in a powerful way and feel inspired or understood by one of my pieces.

Radiance

Leaving

Coastal Viewpoint II

What is one word that best describes your style?

Organic

Is there an idea you would like to explore?

I would like to explore simplifying the landscape down to just the bare minimum of color and line, while still capturing the essence of the subject and the emotional connection to it.

What is your favorite time of day to paint?

Afternoon into evening is my favorite time to paint, as I have a beautiful view of the sunset out over the horse pastures. But any unfettered studio time is precious.

Do you ever get “stuck” on a piece? If so, what do you do?

This is a big challenge for me! I have found that rather than trying to force myself when “stuck”, the resolution will often come if I just relax and let it happen spontaneously. I am working on being more forgiving and flexible with myself, and allowing myself to put a piece aside if it isn’t flowing easily. But I haven’t gotten there yet 😉

What is up next on your easel?

Two very different things are “in the works”: One is the second in a series of loose landscapes focusing on a brilliant sun, as in my “Last Day Of Summer” piece. The other is a figurative piece I was asked to create for our community on the Tennessee/Kentucky border to celebrate the solar eclipse.

 

All of these images by Dina, and more, are available in our Print-On-Demand Collection.  Some areas of our website are password-protected. If you are a member of the trade but don’t have full access to our website, www.thirdandwall.com, please contact us at customerservice@thirdandwall.com.