Today we’d like to introduce you to Daryl Ann Ingman
Hi Daryl Ann, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Really it all was kind of silly how I started painting – I was going through a break-up and I just remember thinking to myself: “I really need a hobby if I’m going to get through this.” I ended up just deciding to paint a bowl of apples, and I showed my dad and he genuinely did not believe that it was me who painted them. I lucked out in the very beginning as, those apples were some of my best work, and at the same time they just so happened to be my first attempt at oil painting. However, I think in the beginning it gave me a sense of over-confidence to where I thought I could paint literally anything, so I just…did.
I soon found out however, that perfecting oil paintings actually takes years and years of practice and patience, so it was a bit of a learning curve for me. I started watching as many videos as I could on YouTube about different methods, and tried many of them. I remember I worked in a lawyers office at the time, and my boss asked what I got up to over the weekend, and I told her I was painting. She asked to see the apples and had a similar reaction to my dad. I thought they looked good, but I didn’t see the huge deal, as I genuinely believe anyone can paint, but, regardless – someone in the office asked me to paint their dog. I did, and posted it to Instagram (I still really don’t like that painting at all), BUT, it gained a lot of attention and soon everyone I knew was asking for paintings of their dogs. I kind of just by default became a pet portrait painter over the years.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It’s been relatively smooth, I would say. However, as I mentioned before I think I got too confident in the beginning and was a little too “sure” that I would be able to paint literally whatever it is I wanted to. But that was 100% WRONG. Those times were pretty frustrating and defeating for sure. I would go weeks, sometimes months without painting anything, because I am at heart a perfectionist who wants to “get it right” the first time they try. So when I couldn’t do that, it annoyed me and I would give up for weeks at a time.
I soon got out of that mindset, and realized that things take time, and to not be so pouty about it, and instead tried to make it a practice to do just a little bit every day. This method works well, but when I have no current commissions I definitely do not paint as much as I would like to/should. That is for sure something I am making a goal of in 2025. To just…PAINT. No matter what it is, who it’s for, or who it’s not for. But yes. I definitely struggle with motivation and consistency. This is a personal struggle I am really trying to work through, because painting, at the end of the day, is my main passion in life.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a professional oil painter specializing in pet portraits, with a particular focus on dogs. I started in 2017, after a tough breakup, when I turned to painting as a way to heal and find a meaningful hobby. Over the years, I’ve become well-known for my detailed and expressive pet portraits, though I’m especially proud of certain works that really capture the spirit of the animals I paint. I get a lot of commissions of pets that have passed, so being able to capture that is very important to me.
I love painting pet portraits, but I’m really excited to start creating more original artwork in the future. My preferred style is heavily inspired by the Baroque era. I just really love the depth, drama, and emotion in those paintings. I try to bring that same feel to my work, mixing classic vibes with modern subjects. I like to think that this approach makes my art a little different and helps it stand out from other pet portraits.
How do you think about luck?
I would say I was lucky in the sense that I had a really great support system. Immediately, everyone was supportive and proud and motivating me to create more, and paint more. It was really lovely and inspiring. My friends, parents, relatives and father especially was always inspiring me to make more paintings. I truly think it was because of them that I even continued painting at all.
Pricing:
- My lowest price for an oil painting is $280, while my highest is $2k+. It all depends on what the buyer is interested in, but on average people pay around $280-$800!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: darylannart
