Darrin Owens

 TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF: I retired last year after working for 35 years in an actuarial firm in New York City. My new career is drawing and painting and learning more about art and being an artist. I enjoy drawing and painting in my garage studio while listening to music.

 

TELL US ABOUT YOUR HOLIDAY WINDOW:  My window painting is from "How the Grinch Stole Christmas." My family read that book by flashlight every Christmas Eve while I was growing up. I tried to capture the moment when the Grinch learns that Christmas is not all about the material items (it came without ribbons, it came without tags, it came without packages, boxes or bags!) and is more about community and being with those we love. His heart grows three sizes and he lifts the sleigh full of the stolen Christmas decorations and presents, then rides the sleigh back into town with his dog Max to carve the roast beast himself. I tried to recreate the Chuck Jones illustration from the animated special as this scene is not in the original book and I love how he captured the moment so well.

 

WHAT ARTIST OR TYPE OF ART INSPIRES YOU: I am inspired by artists who can paint or draw realistically and representationally. I enjoy the renaissance artists who were free to pursue science, painting, drawing and sculpting, and the pre-Raphealites in 19th century England. Whenever I draw or paint something, I spend a lot of time learning about the thing or being so I can fully understand the form and try to draw or paint from real life as much as I can. 

 

FAVORITE SONG/MOVIE : My favorite movie is "The Matrix." I have far too many favorite songs to even name a top 10. I listen to music all day while I paint or draw.

 

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO AT THE CENTER FOR CREATIVITY : I would love to attend classes or an extended workshop at the Center for Creativity. I attend classes at the Visual Arts Center of NJ in Summit and at The Art Students League in NYC, as well as workshops at other facilities. It would be great to have a local option for art classes or workshops.  We could collaborate with the Westfield Art Assocation, as we have a number of members who already teach at various places.