March 30th photograph

'Ghostly'

Growing up you're taught never to break the rules. You should never try to break into a place, EVER. In general this is quite true! But sometimes you have to cease your moment of being juvenile and do something silly so you can experience what lies in your unknown. Perhaps, to find a quiet garden and benches in the middle of a bustling city. Take a breath and then find a way out (through a dark, creepy doorway) so you don't get caught.

March 28th photograph

'Fuzion'

Sometimes you just need to have a drink. When you have tomorrow off and a friend comes by unexpectedly you must always be prepared; red wine is key in those situations. Being a good hostess is fun, but the moment you start acting a fool, is the moment you should decide to drink a tall glass of water and go to bed.

March 26th photograph

'Falling Down Stairs'

Bad days are brought down even further with negativity, but when things aren't going the way you'd like, it's really hard to stay positive. Taking a walk and refreshing your mind sometimes can work wonders. The moment you take your first step and decide all you need to do in life is to, figure out what you want and learn how to ask for it. Things will definitely get better.

Artist Statement

Danielle was born in a very tiny town, on a very tiny Island, Haida Gwaii, located off the Northwest Coast of British Columbia. This is her most cherished place in the world. Being part Haida has been a pertinent part of her ever changing development. The values that she has learned from her Grandmother and still learns from her Mother will forever be entwined in her self and her work.

As an emerging artist, Danielle has been interested in many things. Soon after she finished a Fashion Design Program, she completed a Fine Arts program. Both fields of study have influenced her work immensely.

Entering Art School, Danielle's art was primarily pretty pictures.  As she learned about and discovered new artists, conceptual art began to intrigue her and she strived to figure it into her work. Still determined to make aesthetically pleasing work, she also incorporates an idea, making the written word an integral part of the journey through each piece. This is her say in society, it's a way to share her opinion on the subjects she is most passionate about. Having the viewer walk away from her work with a new idea or thought that may never have occurred to them before, is the ultimate goal.

Some ideas she continues to explore are self discovery, multiculturalism, environmental issues and sexual equality. The mediums she chooses to use for each new piece are based on the idea she is working on and how her thoughts will be able to be portrayed most accurately. For example, experimenting with onion peeling to use as dye, a piece to peel the layers of 'the persona' back and expose her true self.

Using an outlet, like a blog to document the path she travels along; trying to get the daily decisive moment she experiences, is a project to follow her journey to her future, wherever she may end up. Travel has always been of importance to Danielle, it plays a part in her future plans; her eventual goal is to move abroad and open her eyes to many more issues close to her heart and develop these ideas into her art.

March 25th photograph

'Nighttime Lights'

When you're originally from a small town, a place that when you look up into the nights sky you can pretty much see the Universe, nighttime in the city might not seem so extraordinary. But you have to take your moments as they come and revel in the stormy looking clouds and the tall condos all around and appreciate exactly where you are, in the now.

March 17th photograph

'Coffeetime'

A well known saying goes, the morning coffee is the most important drink of the day.. Wait, maybe that's not a saying. But really, in the life of many this is a true enough statement. Many take their time drinking coffee at home, reading the newspaper or watching the morning news. But what's really nice is to go somewhere, where the atmosphere is nice and the artwork is interesting and enjoy some relaxing moments with a friend.

March 16th photograph

'Nash Night'

Concerts are one of the few areas of entertainment that can consume your whole body. You not only hear the music, but you can actually feel it too. If the entertainer is good they can hold your complete attention for 1, maybe 2 hours and bring you on an emotional journey. Then the moment the encore is over, they step off the stage and you realise that the fantasy is finished; there's sometimes a moment of sadness but the high from the evening can leave you exhilarated and ready for a crazy night...

March 15th photograph

'Mischeif Managed'

Even as you age you must stay young at heart. Therefore, when an opportunity to be mischievous presents itself, you HAVE to go all in. Lesson, the moment you fall asleep on a couch while there are 2 people wide awake with a camera, you must be prepared for the consequences.

Step 1- he falls asleep
Step 2- test to see how deep of a sleeper he is
Step 3- get a feather and see what happens
Step 4- you realise he's apparently a ridiculously deep sleeper
Step 5- he FINALLY wakes up
Step 6- he (hopefully) realises it was all in good fun

March 14th photograph

'Trip Home'

Commuting into work is a chore that many people have to put up with everyday. Having 1 hour to think, read or sleep can be a nice part of your day. You can enjoy the unique characters that often grace you with their presence on the subway, or the beautiful adds that are plastered all around each car. Generally, at all moments there is something you can find that has beauty. Driving through the concrete walls at a fast pace can be one of them.

March 9th photograph

'Pie Time'

Never lose touch of your childish side; and always be ready for some payback. After trying to convince people to 'save the groom' all evening, so that a very good friend would end up getting a pie in the face, the people spoke and 'saved the bride'. In the end, the groom was able to show his "maturity" and took revenge. The moment of the evening had to be the moment the pie plate came off the grooms face and he went in for the kill.


~After this stunt by the groom, I completely approve this union~

March 7th photograph

'Opening Frenzy'

The opening night of an art show is filled with anxiety, excitement and relief. People from all walks of life are attending to view your work (or the work of a friends), the vulnerability of the moment when the first person observes your piece is unexplainable. To let people see what, at first, you only imagined, is quite freeing. Especially if it's well perceived.

March 3rd photograph 

'Sunday Stroll'

By far, one of Toronto's busiest streets; Yonge Street empties late on a Sunday night. It becomes a world of neon lights and pavement with very few people crossing their path. It's a good moment to stop and reflect on the day and become immersed in man-made inventions.

March 1st Photograph

'Lighting It Up'

Moments spent with good friends, wine and fruit covered in copious amounts of chocolate cannot be disregarded. Spending eight and a half hours, five days a week trying to be an authority figure it's nice to be able to sit back, relax and enjoy my co-workers as they are.

Back Story

 

When I was much younger I thought that by the time I was this age (28) I would have everything figured out. I would have the career I wanted; possible steady relationship; a house; a dog, a cat or… maybe just a plant or 2. And yet other then the plant, which is dying from lack of water and conversation, I have none of those things. For the most part I'm very much ok with that, then there are those dark moments, that last minutes sometimes, and other times they can last up to weeks. The negativity overtakes me and leads me to have horrible feelings about myself and those I care about. Eventually I come out of it, usually because some of the most genuine moments, a smile from a stranger, a compliment, the warm summer breeze, a friend or family member, or the reality that is, my life ain't so bad.

 

My Mission

 

I want to have and reflect on the everyday moments; the mundane yet beautiful moments, the inspiring moments, the funny moments, the exciting moments, the sad moments, the lonely moments and the happy moments, that will lead my journey to the life that is still unfolding to me. Hoping and working for new opportunities and challenges that lay ahead of me, I would like to have this as my journal on my way into the abyss of my future.