The Ohio Artist Registry (OAR) is an exciting opportunity for artists to share their work, connect with the creative community, and establish an online presence—all on a free, virtual platform! The OAR encourages artists working in all art forms, throughout Ohio and beyond, to create a profile, which allows them to better promote themselves and their work. Being listed in the OAR provides artists with new opportunities to share their work with clients, galleries, patrons, and audiences. A listing in the OAR does not confer an endorsement, approval, or verification by the Ohio Arts Council.
For more information, contact Kathy Signorino, artist programs director, at kathy.signorino@oac.ohio.gov or 614-728-6140.
2025 Ohio Artist Registry Juried Exhibition
Bio
I am an award-winning fine art photographer and encaustic artist based in Columbus, Ohio. After a career of teaching art, I began experimenting with photography and came to specialize in painting-with-light. From night landscapes to still life’s in my dark studio, the common elements are off-camera lights and extremely long exposures. I have invented techniques for adding virtual shapes, lines, and colors to photographs.
I continue to experiment but have now added painting with encaustics to my repertoire of art tools. In that medium, I initially made smooth photo encaustics but soon began building encaustic layers that extend above the surface. I discovered that I can form paper then dip many times in encaustic medium to create high reliefs.
Both painting-with-light photography and painting with encaustics are complex and time-consuming but it is the challenge of these media that fuels my creative spirit.
In addition to solo and two artist exhibits, my work has been juried into into national and international exhibits including the Butler Art Institute, the Attleboro Arts Museum, the NLAPW 51st Biennial Art Exhibit, Praxis Gallery, the Julia Margaret Cameron International Awards.
As a an Active Art member of the National League of American Pen Women (NLAPW) and the Central Branch of NLAPW I have served as branch president, vice president, treasurer, and art credentials officer. At the national level I have been the art editor for the award-winning magazine, The Pen Woman, and National Arts Credential Officer. I am also a member of the Worthington Area Art League, the Ohio Art League.
Artist Statement
As a fine art photographer, encaustic artist, and alternative photography practitioner, Darlene is inspired by the beauty that light brings to both natural and manmade environments. In photography she specializes in painting-with-light from night landscapes to tabletop arrangements created in her darkened studio where she works in front of the camera using handheld lights during extremely long exposures.
Here encaustic works range from smooth, dreamy photo encaustics to realistic low and high reliefs. Darlene uses a range of techniques and embellishments to give her work added depth and meaning.