Today we’d like to introduce you to Danny O’Driscoll.
Hi Danny, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
In 1973, after I left College of Charleston, I moved to Columbia, SC and worked for the state. I had a chance meeting with the Art Director at Riverbanks Zoo in Columbia, SC. He invited me out to apply for an Exhibitors job. I got my foot in the door and as I worked building exhibits for the animals, I saw that they had a staff of illustrators. I applied for that job by painting a small bird piece. I got the job, and for the next 5 years I illustrated all kinds of wildlife. Then after 5 years, I decided to move on to another city doing the same work. I got a job in Houston TX at their Zoo. So from 1978 to 1982 I designed graphics and built exhibits for them.
I met my wife there, this wonderful lady was also a fantastic artist that was trained in college to be a graphic artist. I, even though I attended college, never had any formal lessons in art. The College only had art history degree at the time.
My wife and I decided to become self employed and move back to Columbia, SC. We started out in 1982 doing various Art Festivals around the country and this was our income that also included commission art. We had a daughter in 1987 and for the next several years we, all three, did art festivals. When my daughter reached school age , is when I took over the reigns of traveling to art shows alone. I have been traveling doing art shows now for 44 years , averaging 30 shows a year. Now at almost 74, I’ve slowed just a bit. I travel only the Southeast and do about 18 shows a year. But my travels have taken me from Florida to Michigan and from Virginia to Oklahoma. I still love my job and also the traveling to this day.
I am great great nephew of Charleston Artist William Aiken Walker from Charleston SC 1838-1921
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
When my wife and I started out, it was hit or miss which festivals were good for art. It took a few years to pick the ones that accepted my art. For instance, South Florida is not good for Realism, and Up in northern United States they have too many rules and regulations that eat away at the profits. Then gas, motels, and exhibitor fees also fluctuate. The biggest interference was the weather. Your are at the mercy of the weather since they are all outside. We homeschooled our daughter so she did a lot of traveling with us and really got a hands on education.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My art/ Illustrations are anatomically correct because of my Zoological background. I specialize in Wildlife with an emphasis on Birds. What sets my art apart is the freehand airbrushed background that creates a soft, out of focus look, then sharp focused foreground or subject. Looking more like a photograph, it really is based on the way the eye perceives something up close. The eye tends to soften the background so you can focus on the subject at hand. The subjects are all painted also in acrylics using small fine brushes. I photograph the subject, the perch and the background….not all at the same time. Sometimes I use a photo that I have taken years ago and combine it with a newer photo to create a lifelike scene.
Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
Being a Charlestonian, born and raised, there were plenty of places to investigate as a child. Early years, I was always outside in the woods. Later on in High School , I was always at the beach (surfing or just taking it all in). I would say one of my favorite places was Hampton Park in Downtown Charleston. There were various species of ducks and other animals to inspire me.
Pricing:
- My Original Acrylics range from $300.00 to $9000.00
- Prints on canvas : $75.00 to $3oo.oo Sizes are 9×12 to 20×30
- Prints on Paper: $25.00 to $250.00 Sizes are 11×14 to 24×36
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.dannyodriscoll.com
- Instagram: danny_odriscoll_wildlife_art
- Facebook: Danny O’Driscoll
