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

Danielle, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

From the time I was very young, I gravitated toward expressing myself visually. I would draw and paint in my free time as well as in school. Growing up my father liked to oil paint and introduced me to it. He mainly painted landscapes, but I was drawn toward the human form, realism and narrative art.

Danielle, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am a self-taught painter. Although I have taken individual courses for drawing and painting, I was never able to fully realize my goal of attaining a college degree. I soon began to realize that although art classes can impart a great many insights, tips and tricks, it would be the practice of my art that would become my most important tool.

Over a number of years, I practiced mixing colors and learning brush techniques. My main goal is to become the best oil painter I can be. I want to inspire others who want to paint. My passion for painting and telling painted stories is something I think the world needs. Art transcends words, religion and race. It allows the viewer to impart their own thoughts and experiences into the art they are viewing.

I do have collectors who purchase my original paintings, giclée prints and I accept portrait commissions. I participate in shows through out the United States and have won awards for my work.

My proudest moments are when someone connects with one of my paintings. Whether it’s a collector who loves the story behind the work or a Judge who gives it an award … it confirms for me that my efforts are making an impact.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

Being an artist is rewarding on a number of levels. Taking your thoughts and experiences and turning them into a physical expression that can be shared with others is highly rewarding to me. I also enjoy the fact that there is no right or wrong in my view as to what a person feels they need to express. Being able to express myself is healthy, necessary and generates ideas. For me it’s the most important role art can play in society.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

There have been moments where I’ve had people comment to me that they would never buy a painting of a person they don’t know. They don’t understand why I paint people or add symbolic elements to my paintings. What I would like to explain is that my life experiences: loss, love, disappointment and joy all factor into my paintings. I just happen to use models who help me depict the message.

My paintings are truly meant to be a visual, artistic communication – not just a portrait of some unknown person. The person is part of the story just as people are part of all of our stories in our lives.

Contact Info:

• Website: daniellepiloto.com
• Instagram: daniellepiloto
• Facebook: Danielle Piloto Artist