Artist Bio

Learn more about the woman behind the art

About The Art

Magic is real. Beauty shines through imperfection. Joy can be found in the littlest of things.

Through her art, Danaye reminds us that it is okay to smile, even laugh, because reality can be a dark place. She urges us to believe in magic, then watch the world come alive.

Each artwork uses mixed media (watercolor, gouache, acrylic, ink) or digital painting to tell a story or capture a moment. Danaye fills the paper with heart and soul, both hers and the subject’s.

About The Artist

The Huntsville-based artist has been creating art ever since she could hold a pencil. Her inspiration comes from a lifetime love of fantasy and fairy tales—which makes sense since she, like many 80’s and 90’s children, grew up on a healthy diet of Disney, DreamWorks, and anime. They helped to shape her style into what it is today: a unique juxtaposition of realism and animation.

Associations

The Process

It always starts with a spark of inspiration. Whether reading a novel, watching a movie, or listening to a song—or, many times, just having a conversation with a client—an inkling of an idea takes hold. Out comes the iPad or sketchbook. Then, Danaye blocks out a rough outline of the image in her mind.

Since many of her works are portraits, she then spends time researching the subject by trolling social media. This allows her to get a thorough picture of their personality, plus learn all the physical features (big and small) that make them truly one-of-a-kind.

After the sketch comes the ink, then color blocking, then shading. Danaye chooses her (or the client’s) media of choice—often watercolor and/or acrylic paint or digital painting via her iPad Pro. She painstakingly brings the image to life, perfecting as much as she can but, most importantly, ensuring the final art is full of the heart and soul she is known for.