Denise Daffara is a contemporary visual artist,
her early works expressed an essence of femininity, frivolity and fun in a modern figurative style.
Denise’s art practice is an intuitive, light and colour fuelled exploration of her life’s journey.
Reoccurring motifs include Australian and New Zealand flora, fauna, and abstracted botanicals and landscapes… along with some beloved every day objects and rituals such as her affinity with tea.
Her art expresses the sacred union between beauty and healing for the heart - for the artist and the viewer.
Denise’s art practice is an intuitive, light and colour fuelled exploration of her life’s journey.
Reoccurring motifs include Australian and New Zealand flora, fauna, and abstracted botanicals and landscapes… along with some beloved every day objects and rituals such as her affinity with tea.
Her art expresses the sacred union between beauty and healing for the heart - for the artist and the viewer.
Hi, my name is Denise Daffara. I am an artist, soulful seeker, wild wonderer, deep listener, sacred space holder, Creativitea Time inspirer & private priestess. Intentional Creativity Guide & Certified Color of Woman Teacher.
Painting with acrylics has been a large part of my life since the late 90’s, mixed media and art journaling are also part of my practice.
My passion is to connect with others in ways that leave us both feeling nurtured, energised, validated, and liberated. One way I do this is by encouraging Creativitea time : a space & practice where playfulness, courage and creativity meet radical self acceptance for tea. A sacred space is made to meet ourselves on the page. I find that meeting yourself right where you are is a powerful medicine in these troubled times.
I believe when we are seen and heard we can heal. Using art journaling, intentional creativity and painting as a self healing modality has been extremely helpful for me in my personal quest, especially through times of grief, depression, and awakenings. In recent years I have begun to overflow that offering to begin to share some experiences and discoveries. May they be of service and support, uplift and inspire others to creatively express and lovingly nurture themselves too.
I live on the Sunshine Coast of Queensland Australia, born in New Zealand I was drawn to this vast land by it’s warmer climate and stunningly beautiful pale sandy beaches. I love how we are no longer limited by our physical location and can connect with like minded hearts across lands and seas via the online communities. Perhaps we’ll meet ‘virtually’ for tea some day, I hope so.
Painting with acrylics has been a large part of my life since the late 90’s, mixed media and art journaling are also part of my practice.
My passion is to connect with others in ways that leave us both feeling nurtured, energised, validated, and liberated. One way I do this is by encouraging Creativitea time : a space & practice where playfulness, courage and creativity meet radical self acceptance for tea. A sacred space is made to meet ourselves on the page. I find that meeting yourself right where you are is a powerful medicine in these troubled times.
I believe when we are seen and heard we can heal. Using art journaling, intentional creativity and painting as a self healing modality has been extremely helpful for me in my personal quest, especially through times of grief, depression, and awakenings. In recent years I have begun to overflow that offering to begin to share some experiences and discoveries. May they be of service and support, uplift and inspire others to creatively express and lovingly nurture themselves too.
I live on the Sunshine Coast of Queensland Australia, born in New Zealand I was drawn to this vast land by it’s warmer climate and stunningly beautiful pale sandy beaches. I love how we are no longer limited by our physical location and can connect with like minded hearts across lands and seas via the online communities. Perhaps we’ll meet ‘virtually’ for tea some day, I hope so.
Kindness received :
“I feel so grateful in my heart to have experienced Denise Daffara as a guide to accessing some inner knowings I didn't even know needed attention. I was lucky enough to be gifted an online class by the gracious lady herself. It gave me a forum for thoughts and feelings and validated my soul nourishing my inner innocent. I can't say enough good things about the group of women that came together in the name of intentional creativity to create something beautiful. A racing success story.” - Marya S
“Denise's beauty, grace, and authentic heART work has touched me deeply. Her generous open and welcoming presence provided a safe space for me to explore, discover and share.” - Donna Fromm
“Denise was one of my first teachers when I started to venture into art. I was wounded and felt dis-empowered. Denise provided me and other like minded women with a platform in which to be ourselves; to explore our deepest selves; to bathe in the richness and authenticity that art brings out in you. Denise is loving and kind and so real. She doesn't mind putting herself out there and that in turn, helps you to have more courage. Though I have strayed from painting and have gone into miniature and polymer clay art, Denise will remain forever in my heart as the person who helped me get started on the path of my artistic self. Without her classes, I doubt I would have ventured this far." - Leesha Dee
“Denise finds the words you find difficult to, with heart and patience she guides you into you again.” - Julie Hyndman
“Denise is a creative and loving adventurer who guides others to seek the new and rediscover the old. A brave and beautiful soul who by sharing her words, art and authentic self creates a sacred space for others to do so too. Thank you for showing me the path again.” - N Alston
Born in Wellington in New Zealand, Denise remembers a childhood spent pestering her parents for new crayons, pencils and paints, to feed her burning desire for colour in her life. In the late eighties Denise emigrated to Australia, a decade later she came into contact with well established local artist Peter Hales, who is based in Noosa. It was under his guidance that Denise started to take her art and her passion more seriously through regular mentoring, lessons and guidance.
Denise’s early works expressed an essence of femininity, frivolity and fun in a modern figurative style. Her art practice is an intuitive, light and colour fuelled exploration of her life’s journey.
Reoccurring motifs include Australian and New Zealand flora, fauna and abstracted botanicals and landscapes… along with some every day objects such as chairs and cups of tea. Her art expresses the sacred union between beauty and healing for the heart - for both the artist and the viewer.
She is constantly evolving her style and subject as it directly relates to her life and energy flow. Attending workshops both in person and online brings her into contact with new skills and refreshes her practice progressively..
Denise has created many privately commissioned works over the years, including two that have become book covers. These pieces are now represented in various Australian and overseas collections.
Solo Exhibitions
2009 A Golden Thread, Tiffany Jones Fine Art Gallery, Buderim, Qld, Australia
2008 Free Spirits, Tiffany Jones Fine Art Gallery, Buderim, Qld
2007 Femme Fantastique, Tiffany Jones Fine Art Gallery, Buderim, Qld
– sell out success with large number of commissions following.
Group Exhibitions
2010 The Abused Child Trust Exhibition, White Canva Gallery, Brisbane, Australia
2010 Women in Art Exhibition, Zonta Club, Maleny, Queensland
2009 The Abused Child Trust Exhibition, Gallery 2, Brisbane, Australia
2008 The Abused Child Trust Exhibition, Riverside Centre, Brisbane, Australia
2007 “A Sense of Place - Maroochy”, Tatebayashi City Council, Japan
2007 The Abused Child Trust Exhibition, Riverside Centre, Brisbane, Australia
2006 Geisha, Tiffany Jones Fine Art Gallery, Buderim, Qld
2004 Women in Art Exhibition, Zonta Club, Maleny, Queensland
Awards - Recognition
2004 ‘Packing Room Prize’, Women In Art Exhibition, Zonta Club - Blackall Range, Maleny, Qld
2008 ‘Kid’s Choice Award’, Abused Child Trust Art Exhibition, Brisbane, Qld
2009 ‘Certificate of Achievement’ – Nominee: Sunshine Coast Regional Council Australia Day Awards for Outstanding commitment and service to the community of the Sunshine Coast.
Donations
2007 Give Me 5 For Kids - Sugar & Spice (valued $750)
2007 Breast Cancer Foundation - The Sky’s the Limit (valued $2,250)
2008 Give Me 5 For Kids - Kick it to Me (valued $850)
2008 Breast Cancer Foundation - Ring a Ring of Roses (valued $2,750)
2009 Give Me 5 For Kids - Gypsy Girl (valued $900)
2010 Give Me 5 For Kids - Joy Riders (valued $3,500)
2011 Give Me 5 For Kids - Spring Fling (valued $950)
2012 Give Me 5 For Kids - Loves Me Not Loves Me - print (valued $795)
2013 Give Me 5 For Kitds - print (valued $595)
2013 Sunnykids (Women's Shelter) - Gypsy Rose (valued $2250)
Denise’s early works expressed an essence of femininity, frivolity and fun in a modern figurative style. Her art practice is an intuitive, light and colour fuelled exploration of her life’s journey.
Reoccurring motifs include Australian and New Zealand flora, fauna and abstracted botanicals and landscapes… along with some every day objects such as chairs and cups of tea. Her art expresses the sacred union between beauty and healing for the heart - for both the artist and the viewer.
She is constantly evolving her style and subject as it directly relates to her life and energy flow. Attending workshops both in person and online brings her into contact with new skills and refreshes her practice progressively..
Denise has created many privately commissioned works over the years, including two that have become book covers. These pieces are now represented in various Australian and overseas collections.
Solo Exhibitions
2009 A Golden Thread, Tiffany Jones Fine Art Gallery, Buderim, Qld, Australia
2008 Free Spirits, Tiffany Jones Fine Art Gallery, Buderim, Qld
2007 Femme Fantastique, Tiffany Jones Fine Art Gallery, Buderim, Qld
– sell out success with large number of commissions following.
Group Exhibitions
2010 The Abused Child Trust Exhibition, White Canva Gallery, Brisbane, Australia
2010 Women in Art Exhibition, Zonta Club, Maleny, Queensland
2009 The Abused Child Trust Exhibition, Gallery 2, Brisbane, Australia
2008 The Abused Child Trust Exhibition, Riverside Centre, Brisbane, Australia
2007 “A Sense of Place - Maroochy”, Tatebayashi City Council, Japan
2007 The Abused Child Trust Exhibition, Riverside Centre, Brisbane, Australia
2006 Geisha, Tiffany Jones Fine Art Gallery, Buderim, Qld
2004 Women in Art Exhibition, Zonta Club, Maleny, Queensland
Awards - Recognition
2004 ‘Packing Room Prize’, Women In Art Exhibition, Zonta Club - Blackall Range, Maleny, Qld
2008 ‘Kid’s Choice Award’, Abused Child Trust Art Exhibition, Brisbane, Qld
2009 ‘Certificate of Achievement’ – Nominee: Sunshine Coast Regional Council Australia Day Awards for Outstanding commitment and service to the community of the Sunshine Coast.
Donations
2007 Give Me 5 For Kids - Sugar & Spice (valued $750)
2007 Breast Cancer Foundation - The Sky’s the Limit (valued $2,250)
2008 Give Me 5 For Kids - Kick it to Me (valued $850)
2008 Breast Cancer Foundation - Ring a Ring of Roses (valued $2,750)
2009 Give Me 5 For Kids - Gypsy Girl (valued $900)
2010 Give Me 5 For Kids - Joy Riders (valued $3,500)
2011 Give Me 5 For Kids - Spring Fling (valued $950)
2012 Give Me 5 For Kids - Loves Me Not Loves Me - print (valued $795)
2013 Give Me 5 For Kitds - print (valued $595)
2013 Sunnykids (Women's Shelter) - Gypsy Rose (valued $2250)
My First Solo Show
featured in Salt Magazine Autumn 2007
