“Through lively, stylized human forms and bright, expressive colors, I strive to bring a mixture of positive messages and spiritual concepts to life in my paintings. Growing up in the age of television, the influence of animated cartooning comes through in my work; yet with much focus and deliberation, I pick and mix cartoon like imagery and real life concepts to create a finished work that is flavorful and fresh. I bring identifiable concepts to life through bright, acrylic brush strokes and strong, stated lines.

“I would like for my work to uplift others and possess something that people can take to help them through the different seasons in life’s journey.”

After graduating from Dillard University in New Orleans, LA, with a dual degree in Business Management and the Arts, Darlene furthered her artistic education and graduated from the Savannah College of Art and Design with an MFA in Illustration. Her professional freelancing career began with her first assignment of illustrating an article for the Wall Street Journal. From there, Darlene’s career blossomed. She has had her work published in several other magazines in the southeastern United States.

She has illustrated a children’s book and some children’s book covers and has been commissioned for murals in Memphis city schools and in private homes. Her paintings hang in the office of the former Commissioner of Health for the state of TN and in the private collections of patrons spanning from California to New York. Darlene resides in her hometown of Memphis, TN with her husband.