ABOUT THE ARTIST
Darlene Klister

"For many years I allowed life to get in the way of my passion for creating, until I finally decided art (in any form) was what I wanted to do and nothing has gotten in my way since! Creating art feeds my soul and living in the Northwest feeds my inspiration and passion to create art. It's a win-win place to live for me!"

Darlene's love of nature, respect for the environment and life comes through in her watercolor paintings, drawings, and jewelry. The colors and textures of the Pacific Northwest are inspirations for her works. Art in one form or another has been a part of her life since she was growing up in the San Francisco Bay area. She has always been fascinated with using color, shape and texture in painting or in three-dimensional art. Her love of animals comes through in her paintings of them. "I love painting animal portraits. I like to meet the animal, take a lot of photographs, experience the animal's personality, favorite hang-outs, toys. Then I use these elements to create a painting that contains the essence of the cat, dog, or whatever animal I'm bringing alive through paint on paper." She also enjoys painting nautical scenes; especially wooden boats that she feels have warmth and a sense of life to them.

She obtained a bachelors degree cum laude in art history and philosophy from San Francisco State University, has studied botanical illustration, and has participated in numerous painting workshops along the way. She is a member and past president of the Spokane Watercolor Society, a member of the Northwest Watercolor Society, the Skagit Art Association, and Allied Arts of Whatcom County.

FireLight Designs is a business Darlene started in 2001. She not only paints in watercolors, but also does matting and framing, and designs and creates jewelry. She accepts commissions for paintings, framing art work, and for jewelry. "I try to bring the color, texture and design from painting into my jewelry designs. I combine elements in ways you won't see in other jewelry. I started FireLight Designs during the period of my life when my mother was dying from cancer. I saw this as a way to give birth to something new, something that I knew she would be proud of me for accomplishing."

You can find Darlene's watercolor paintings and jewelry in stores, and in art shows around the Pacific Northwest. Click on the following link to view locations and upcoming shows: Special Events & Locations.