Danielle Hutchens lives just outside of Los Angeles, in Topanga Canyon, where the natural environment influences her fine art and ceramics. A former art director and graphic designer, Danielle has a considered approach to her craft. Both a patient process of developing and working with natural materials and a translation of how she sees the world, its wild forms, and the balancing of feminine and masculine energy and themes. View Danielle's artwork here.
8 Questions
Describe the moment you realized art fed your soul.
I was working at an online yoga company as the creative director + designer, and one evening a week I’d go to ceramics class. It would be after a full day working, but I would be so energized and all of a sudden it would be 11:30pm and I hadn't noticed the time go by. I felt joy, calm, and connectedness– and I knew art was not just a hobby but an essential part of my being.
What themes do you pursue in your art?
Nature and our connection to it, balance of masculine and feminine, play.
Tell us about what influences the direction for your craft.
Living and creating in the environment of Topanga has a huge influence on me. The serene landscapes and abundant natural resources have not only inspired my work but have driven me to be more conscious of my impact on the environment with art.
I’m also heavily influenced by my dreams and conversations I've had with strangers as well as intimate friends.
How has your work developed over time?
I’ve started to adopt earth-friendly practices in my art where possible.
This commitment includes sourcing stones from hikes to use as pigments, grinding them to powder and using water and walnut oils on raw canvas to let their color make art. By foraging and hand making pigments, I’ve slowed down my process and welcomed in a patience that teaches me.
In my ceramics, the clay I use is often recycled, and I incorporate natural textures and forms that echo the organic setting around me. I pull my ceramics into my paintings, using clay as a color medium on unprimed canvas, naturally blending my practices and media.
I do not exclusively work with naturally found pigments, I still explore color with pastels and traditional acrylic. I’ve found that I can remain flexible in my materials but prioritize doing so in a low-impact way.
What’s the most indispensable item in your studio?
The view. It constantly inspires me and grounds me.
Do you collect anything?
I don't consciously do it, but I have a collection of stones, shells, and feathers sprinkled throughout my spaces. These natural elements often find their way into my work, adding a touch of the organic world to my art. I also do a fair bit of journaling and have a pretty good used journal collection as well.
What’s the most inspiring thing you’ve seen, read, watched, or listened to recently?
The book “No Bad Parts” about internal family systems. It's such incredible therapy work, and I feel really inspired by what it's done for me, for some friends who use it, and what also it can do for a lot of people in the world.
What advice would you give to your younger self about your artistic journey?
I would say don’t get so caught up in doing and hustling, when you just are your natural, curious, playful self the work comes flooding in.
Bonus Question: What role does music play for you while you work?
I usually will dance a bit before I start to put brush to canvas or really go deep in some clay work. I have a handful of songs that never fail to make me move. I like to work while I’m moving too, so I continue to take dance breaks and feel energy moving through me.
Danielle Hutchens artwork is modern and down to earth with its neutral palette, pops of colors, and shapes, lines, and textures inspired from the world around her. Style and beauty are inherent in her compositions. Explore her artwork on our website here.
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