We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Danielle Rante a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Danielle, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today One of our favorite things to hear about is stories around the nicest thing someone has done for someone else – what’s the nicest thing someone has ever done for you?

Early on in my career, I was 28 and had several interviews scheduled at College Art Association conference in Los Angeles. This was in 2009, and the primary way that candidates were interviewed by universities was at this conference. I was juggling low paying teaching jobs and very excited I was invited to interview for so many tenure track jobs. I had to go. But I also had to be frugal, so was using all my networking power to try to find a hotel roomie for the trip. I reached out to one of my former professors from undergrad, knowing she went every year. She did not have any suggestions for me, but that was ok, I was resourceful and did find a friend of a friend to room with. Before I left for the trip, I got a card in the mail. It was a check from her for $200 to help with my expenses. I actually still tear up thinking about it. Yes, the money did help, but it was far more than that. It was the belief in me from someone I deeply respected that I could achieve what I set out do to.\

Danielle, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m an artist that explores our personal relationships to landscape, creating large-scale yet intimate environments. My images simultaneously refer to specific personal memories and more universal themes such as environmental issues, natural phenomena and folklore. I primarily work with ink and Japanese washi paper, though sometimes I delve into alternative process photography and installation.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

As a creative, I am always seeking a larger truth, about myself and the world around us. It’s incredibly freeing to give yourself over to that process of discovery. For me the process is both internal and external, a kind of self examination of the way I move though the world. By putting myself in unfamiliar places or situations, the discomfort that initially arises can give way to great truths. Having my studio practice align with these moments of clarity is the most rewarding part of being artist.

Have you ever had to pivot?

I am pivoting now and in that moment of discomfort! I had been teaching art to college students for over 15 years when the university I was tenured at made cuts to the faculty, including myself. Having been on the same academic trajectory for such a long time, I needed to pause and reflect if it was a path that was still viable and fulfilling to me. I haven’t quite answered that question, but what I do know is that my art and my path as an artist will not abandon me, so that is what I’m leaning into.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.daniellerante.com
• Instagram: @danielleranteart

Image Credits
Benjamin Reyna