Darla Teagarden
Darla is a mixed media artist – combining the arts of photography, fashion and theater sets to produce some very artful and inspiring shots. Formerly a stylist, model and dancer, her current works are photographic – often hand drawing the backgrounds and using recycled or vintage props. Darla’s works are wonderfully dramatic, peek-a-boo-like window displays into postcard historical fantasies. They are decorative, feminine and tactile – woven vaudeville beauties. She currently lives in Austin, Texas in a blue house with her son, 3 dogs, a dwarf rabbit and a black pot bellied pig.
- The Butcher’s Daughter – Darla Teagarden
My favorite art memory from my childhood is…. I loved vacationing in Northern California… fishing and camping in Lake Shasta. I pretended I owned and controlled parts of the ”wild” and tried to ignore the humdrum- Kitsch of non denominational suburban life as an only child back home.
- Evening Field – Darla Teagarden
My interest in art/painting started …. I’ve been a visual artist actively since 2003 , when I was a mixed media painter. Before then, I studied dance, worked in the vintage retail industry and did some modeling.
- Vaudevillian Water Deity- Darla Teagarden
I am often inspired and motivated by…. working self taught artists. The majority of successful artists I know had a leg up through supportive artist parents, college etc… But I love someone’s story when it comes , in a way, from left field as a way to be heard and sometimes to survive.
- Conjure in the Rose Garden – Darla Teagarden
If I could spend the day with any artist (dead or alive) it would be… Frida Kahlo. I imagine we would be two peas in a pod. We’d hang out at her Blue house, have a well-made table with lots of food and booze and we would discuss the state of the world.
- Darla Teagarden
The tip or art technique (a specific tidbit of craft, advice or mechanical expertise) that has helped me the most is …. Don’t be a giant fragile weakling. You are going to suck, so get over it and just DO. Do it, because you have something to say. Don’t fail small, fail big.
- Octo Dutchess, Sea Salt – Darla Teagarden
If I could own one piece of art, out of the world’s collections, it would be … Otto Dix’s Anita Berber. (below) Anita and the time period in which Otto worked has personal significance to me.
- Otto Dix’s- Anita Berber
My favorite piece of my own art is…. My next thing, because if you dwell on something that went right, mixed with all the interruption of life ( which we know there are many) you can get lazy or bored.
- The Hostess – Darla Teagarden
My ultimate project or fantasy is … Being paid to travel to shoot and write about amazing people.
- Audubon’s Secret Love – Darla Teagarden
The last song I choose to listen to was… Anna Calvi, Jezebel/Moulinette Single.
- Lady Tether Heart – Darla Teagarden
The last book I couldn’t put down was…. Laura Hillenbrand’s Unbroken. I know many talented people, some great, but it doesn’t mean shit to me if they are giant tools. I resepct and admire stories about great souls who survive without trading it all in. Last fiction book that moved me that way, was Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides.
- Showgirl Kitty – Darla Teagarden
My favorite word is … lately.. “Seabiscuit”
- Darla Teagarden
I can’t live without … Creating. Even if it’s just a collection of beautiful things to look at. Something in the air must always be moving and asking me questions.
The Mourning Cage - Darla Teagarden
It’s not hip, but I really love …. I’m pretty sure ”not hip” is hip… but I’ll have to choose going to Disneyland. Nothing hip about wearing comfortable shoes, mouse ears, and renting a jazzy to get ahead in lines… if one was so inclined.
- Bambina de Assisi – Darla Teagarden
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be and why? I would live in Spain… So many beautiful people and places. 
I’ve always had a love for Barcelona and Madrid..
Bee Charmer - Darla Teagarden
My favorite motto (or quote) is… “Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage.” by Anais Nin. Simple and true.
- Maharani Kishori – Darla Teagarden
