Hello, I am Darrell Davis, an artist located in Hot Springs, Arkansas. I love creating/building. My focus is ceramics but I get distracted (ADD) real easy so I create in a lot of different mediums.

Here is a little background of my education, research and formation of my art philosophy. For as long as I can remember I have been interested in architecture. Which led me to study architecture in college. While studying architecture I focused on the designs and processes of Frank Lloyd Wright and his philosophy that everything is connected and has a purpose in his designs (extreme generalization), as well as, his linier designs. Due to circumstances out of my control I had to abandon, step away or give up (however you want to see it) my dream of architecture.

I then began studying graphic design and during this time I continued my exploration of Frank Llyod Wright’s philosophy incorporating it into more of my overall life (the idea of everything fitting together and relating really help me focus and control my ADD). During my studies of graphic design I discovered another artist or I should say I was reintroduced to Leonardo Da Vinci. The Renaissance Man as well as many others of his time did not focus on one particular subject. They worked to discover how it all relates (another extreme generalization). All of my work at this time focused on learning techniques and how I could use those techniques in every medium I was currently learning about in college. I took as many different medium classes as I could, not just design classes. After this I set out to be a graphic designer. Long story short: sitting at a computer (much like having to focus and write this) does not suit my ADD. So after five years I went back to school to finish my B.F.A. and acquire a M.A.T. in order to teach at public school. During this time teaching I really focused on understanding my philosophy on creating art, crafts, construct, designs… The list never ends for me. They all relate. Which is why I create in as many different mediums as I can. “Understanding” is how I grow and learn.

“A jack of all trades is a master of none, but oftentimes better than a master of one.”

This statement rings true in my mind. I see this as understanding how things work and being able to adjust quickly. You might not know the exact reason why you know something will work or fix something but it does because you are not focused on one understanding.

This is my philosophy. Create work that satisfies my curiosity and make functional work that others can enjoy. The creation of work is for me. If someone likes my work that is awesome. If someone does not like my work that is awesome too. I hope that from feedback from both of these persons I can gain knowledge that will help me grow as an artist. I have studied a lot of “Stuff” or “Things” whatever you call it. What I have learned is Art is not one specific thing that can be taught. Artists are molded by their experiences, teaching, and community both good and bad and an Artist can create for political statements, social statements, or just to create it doesn’t matter. There will be an audience for each one if they work at it. Art is the one thing in society that is in all facets of life. There is not one thing in your life that has been made that was not touched by an “artist” during its development.

You can email here: Darrell Davis