Three by Three: Guest Artists in Focus

QUESTION 2.    Themes like dreams, initiation, and inner transformation recur across your work. What role does symbolism play in helping you say things that realism alone cannot?

• ANSWER 2.     A lot of my work has a childlike quality because it makes the work fun for me and simple/approachable for others. The playful, colorful imagery invites people in first, while the symbolism allows deeper meaning to unfold underneath.
  

  Many of the themes I’m exploring like inner transformation isn’t always soft or beautiful subjects on their own. Symbolism allows me to hold those heavier ideas in more digestible, open forms, while keeping the work emotionally honest.
  

  I also feel symbolism gives the paintings freedom. Realism often captures a single moment or thing, whereas symbolic imagery can cover multiple and feels more timeless to me, it can evolve.

Daniele Kay
Artist

MEDIUM:    acrylic paint, tattoos

BIO:   I am a Self-taught intuitive artist

From Orlando, Florida

Creating through organic intelligence

Allowing my art to naturally unfold through my subconscious and lived experiences


INSTAGRAM:    @DanieleKayArt

QUESTION 3.    Your visual world is bold, colorful, and layered. What helps you keep complexity from becoming noise while still honoring intensity?

• ANSWER 3.     I try to keep my work grounded by having one main focal point and building everything else around it. Having a clear point helps prevent the piece from becoming overwhelming, I try to use the surrounding elements to act as supporting details rather than competing for attention.
  

  My art rewards the patient viewer. The more time you spend with my work , the more it reveals. That balance between simplicity and layering helps me honor intensity without letting it turn into noise.

QUESTION 1.    You’ve moved from tightly controlled hyper-realism into freer, more intuitive mark-making. What shifted internally that made letting go of precision feel necessary rather than risky?

• ANSWER 1.    For me, intuitive art feels more natural. When I look back at my earliest work, I feel like some of my best ideas came from that time because the process was purer and less influenced by my own judgments or the expectations of others. I was painting purely for joy creating whatever came to mind without reference photos, straight from imagination.

  Recently, I’ve been intentionally returning to that mindset. I lean toward intuitive work because it allows me to access a flow state more easily. I rarely use reference images, as working from my mind helps me stay present and unrestricted. In that state, I’m able to create things I would never reach through rigid structure or strict realism. Letting go of precision didn’t feel risky it feels necessary for honesty, freedom, and deeper expression.

9) “Adventures of Siyabonga” painting acrylic on canvas 4ft 2023

All copyright and reproduction rights are reserved by Daniele Kay.
Artwork may not be reproduced in any form without the artist's express written permission.

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“Cosmic guardians” Tattoo 2024

“All in on your dreams” acrylic mural