Albert Einstein once said, “Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything
better.” That’s surely been the case for Morris County native Danielle Lange, who spent her youth climbing trees and building forts in Garden State woodlands (and in her own backyard in Mendham).
Recently, I was invited to her one-woman art show at the architecturally resplendent home of Bernards Mountain art collector Dr. Joseph Leone. The afternoon event showcased many of Danielle’s recent works, most of which are colorful, oversized canvases that depict forest vignettes and the changing seasons. Leone, who has purchased several of Danielle’s paintings, believes she’s someone to keep an eye on.
“I grew up running around in the forests of New Jersey, which grounded me and nurtured my soul. I think this had a large impact on my aesthetic sensibility and sense of self,” she says. “To this day, a big part of my inspiration, play and spiritual practice comes from exploring the forest to reconnect to this side of myself.”
Danielle’s Tree Series explores her relationship with the tree spirit. “For this body of work, I went into the forests where I was inspired to dance, climb, play and meditate. It was a comfortable place to shed off layers of fear, expectations, guilt and just be myself. Back in the studio, I tried to stay in that state of mind and paint within the same mood.”
Danielle attributes much of her success to the excellent education and support received at West Morris High School. “My art teachers, Mr. Marraro, Mr. Douglas and Mrs. Perry, taught college-level curriculum and they gave me the nurturing and the push I needed to pursue my path.” After high school, she attended the Rhode Island School of Design’s painting program. More recently, Danielle has spent time in California where she established a screen printing studio and a pop-up gallery, created headpieces and masks as performance and fashion accessories, and now paints works including her recent Tree Series.
“My work focuses on nature to call attention and bring forth change to our current society’s dysfunctional, fractured relationship with the force that created us,” she says. “I am actively cultivating a community of artists, scientists, bio hackers and healers to come together to create art that helps the environment and community.” Danielle’s work can be viewed at daniellelange.com and https://www.etsy.com/shop/DanniLange
EXHIBITIONS
2015 Holly H20, Guest Artist Installation, San Francisco, CA
2015 Paradigm Shift, Nature & Humans, Chez Poulet, San Francisco, CA
2015 Installation Art at Symbiosis Festival, CA
2015 Live Painting at Lightning in a Bottle, CA
2015 Pretty Wild Grand Opening, Oakland, CA
2015 How Weird Street Fire, San Francisco
2015 First Friday, American Steel, Oakland, CA
2014 Live painting at COSM, Wappinger Falls, NJ
2014 Group Show, Mayo Performing Arts Center, Morristown, NJ
2014 Solo Show, Cottage Place Gallery , Ridgewood, NJ
2013 The Living Gallery, Brooklyn, NY
2012 Eye Candy, Benedict House – LA Canvas, Los Angeles, CA
2010 Frolic, Frolic, Irresistible, RK Projects, Providence, RI
2010 INFLATE/DEFLATE, Studio 304, Providence, RI
2010 PROGRAMMED, The Apple Store, Brooklyn, NY
2010 A Space Of Uncertainty, Studio 304, Providence, RI
2010 Is This Recyclable, Under Minerva Gallery, Brooklyn, NY
2009 Print Making Annual Exhibition, AS220, Providence, RI
2009 Painting Show, Gelman Gallery, Providence, RI
2008 Hung, Sol Koffler Gallery, Providence, RI
2005 Best In show Award, Blackwell Juried Art Show, Morristown, NJ