Artist’s Statement:

A few years back, I watched the size of art reflect the size of most average Americans’ disposable income. At the time, I was creating a series of pieces that were small, but were designed as maquettes for larger pieces. I also thought that the idea of art that could be rearranged by the owner was a saleable concept.

Last spring, I took the 16-square grid, and shrank it down to 6”x6”. I took the same abstract concepts that I have used in larger oils and applied them to these little watercolor/mixed-medium pieces. What I am achieving is small works that demand a little more attention, watercolors that are a bit tougher, and abstracts that I can work while I am traveling. I am also finding the expression of landscape in this format to be challenging. I do not want the Rockies to necessarily look like the Rockies, but I want to convey their presence, also in this small format.

I also translate weather and my response to it this way. These are all big events, but for the most part, really only impact me briefly. Hence, the size makes a lot of sense-huge temporary impact. Hurricane Irene was translated into the “Dancing to Irene” series. There is also a new piece called “Snowstorm in October”. I lost power for a few hours, and the snow against the holly was beautiful.

With a portion of my Christmas bonus, I purchased some 12” square canvases. These started with the same feel as the paper pieces, but rapidly took on a more substantial feel. Some even include additional layers of canvas, and some have paper and board between the canvas and paint. But, as the signature piece for the show in Tamworth suggests, I am still translating my surroundings and experience. I will debut two for the show at Nikki’s Dream, also called “16” that are 24” square.

I hope to continue to translate my world this way, using the grid as a metaphor for I would like to control all that I have absolutely no control over.

BIOGRAPHY:

Daryl-Ann Hurst was born in Palmdale, CA in 1955, and lived in southern CA until 1986. She received a BA in Art in 1985 from California State University, Northridge and did graduate work from 1985-1986.

In 1986, she and her late husband relocated to Maine and in 1987, moved to Portsmouth, NH, where she lived until 2001. She returned to the area in 2006, after living in Littleton, NH and Hartford, CT, where she owned a gallery.

She has shown in galleries and other venues, in regional shows and in competitions from Los Angeles, CA to Rochester, NH from 1978-present. After having a rather “quiet period” with a few shows a year, she has shown recently at the Portable Pantry, Rochester, NH, The  Stone Church, in Newmarket, NH (December, 2012),  Gatehouse Gallery, Tamworth, NH (April, 2012) and now at the Rochester Public Library, Rochester, NH (May, 2012)-all solos. She is also participating in the “Abstract Art Show” at the Newmarket Creative Center, and is an active member in the Kittery Art Association. She will be the featured artist at Nikki’s Dream, Manchester, NH in their program called “Dinner with the Artist”, which will include a twenty minute presentation, and will hang most of the works from this show there. She is also now the curator at the Stone Church.

She presently lives in Rochester with her 22# Maine Coon cat, and works in Portsmouth as a Production  Associate for a Media Analysis company. She also loves camping and hiking, sewing and beadwork, yard sales, antiquing and traveling.

For further information, please visit her website, www.darylanndartthurst.com and follow her blog at www.artinsmallplaces.com