I aim to express humour and spontaneity. The process and creation of which allows for personal healing, and the connection of viewers to their whimsical selves.

My process is the interplay of control and free association in combination with unplanned mark making.

I buy house paint by the gallon, and canvases of all sizes without any plans in mind. Hours are spent laboring over colour choice. Each paint selection is based purely on its emotional impact, how it enhances contrasts or dulls the tones of the surrounding shades. The initial colour selection is lengthy, which contrasts greatly to the use and choice of paint in the finished works. I often start the painting process by staining a particularly inviting canvas with tea. It is only after the tea dries that I realize what the image needs to be. Colours are then quickly chosen from the roster of previously selected paints. Unlike the tea, the use of paint is very controlled. Flat planes of colour, drizzles, splats and splotches are methodically placed to counter balance the free form image and composition.

Most tea stains on paper start large scale and are ripped down, a method that forces the rethinking of the initial idea. Tea does not lend itself to specific shapes, forms cannot appear exactly as they should. Paint, ink and paper have to be carefully applied so as to convince the viewer that the stain is representational.

Occasionally there is a specific idea for an image, but the execution is not planned. It’s important for my process to stay spontaneous. Tea stained and unstained canvases follow whatever flight of fancy I have. I try to indulge just about every thought that flitters through my head, or scribbles onto a piece of paper. It is very hard to give up early stages of control, but it allows for boundless creativity. My process regulates my mental state, giving absolute freedom to a mind governed by the incessant need for lists, plans and structure.

Most importantly by allowing absolute freedom in the process I am able to give something to the audience. I don’t want to tell the viewer what an image means. It does not exist to inform them of the world. Rather it gives the opportunity to see things differently. Visually anything can be whatever you want it to be…but it can be challenging to see things reappear in new ways. I play with my process, a method that allows for freedom and interaction with the viewer. I hope to convey the joy and humour of reinterpreting what we see.

About Me

Dara Gold is a Toronto based artist and illustrator with a mild tea and cupcake obsession. She is a graduate of York University with an honours degree in Fine Arts and an alumni of the Claude Watson art program.

On a constant search for new projects and seemingly odd media, Dara's work ranges from photo-realistic pen drawings, watercolours, concept art and multimedia, featuring tea, house paint and occasionally tissue paper. She is currently pursuing concept art, children's books, vinyl toys and gallery shows.

When not creating Dara enjoys cupcake experimentation, all things Clint Eastwood, cuddling her pet ball python and dreaming of one day owning a hedgehog and making a quilt.