Roxanne Darling

My art explores a unique style of abstract photography that captures the internal energy and movement of the natural world. I utilize a technique known as light painting to produce single-exposure images that are never digitally altered, aiming to visualize the vibrational essence found in plants and trees. By blending artistic expression with the concept of biophilia, the work seeks to provide viewers with the healing benefits typically associated with spending time outdoors. These visual pieces are often accompanied by nature-inspired poetry and self-portraits that emphasize the deep connection between humanity and the environment. The self-portraits were made over several months spent camping in the western US, with each location, time, and pose dictated by nature itself. Ultimately, I present these creative works as an urgent plea for environmental conservation and personal wellness through a meditative engagement with the earth.

I’ve been listening to nature for six decades, beginning in early childhood when I took refuge in the forest and fashioned clothing out of leaves and vines. I graduated UC Berkeley in marine biology, which gave me opportunities to swim with dolphins and study undersea creatures in the wild. I then realized it was time to occupy my own body, first as a ballet dancer then as a mindbody trainer and community health leader for several Native American and Alaskan Native communities. Many elders shared indigenous wisdom with me. I further honed my experience as one of Johnson & Johnson's highest-rated health coaches. Moving to Hawaii, I began creating abstract biophilic art photography with my partner. We received a large commission at a luxury Maui resort to create art sourced from the property. The results were so successful, the hotel created a lobby gallery just for us. As my mother, herself an artist, was fading with Alzheimer’s, I moved to care for her. We spent our days days visiting galleries and drawing at home, further pushing my own desires to create. Following her death, I camped for several months in the western U.S. where I had this recurring urge to disrobe and make a photograph. After writing poems to each photograph, I came to realize nature was speaking through me to examine the tension between reverence and desecration, our unconscious consumerism, and how easily we demean our aging selves. This award-winning project is called I AM: For the Love of Nature.

2-D, 3-D, Drawing, Film/Video, Interdisciplinary/social engagement, Photography, Writing