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 has been a large piece of my life since the late 90's, mixed media and art journaling are newer loves, they have taken up residence in my soul for life I feel certain.
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 has been a large piece of my life since the late 90's, mixed media and art journaling are newer loves, they have taken up residence in my soul for life I feel certain.
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
Denise Daffara is part of a new breed of contemporary artists living on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia. Her work brings together a fusion of motherhood, friendship and femininity in the 21st Century.
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 drawing and painting. Her sister Maria, who was an accomplished and talented artist, influenced her work and her decision to choose art as her career. In the late eighties Denise emigrated to Australia and later she settled into the sunshine and beach lifestyle on the Sunshine Coast, an hour north of Brisbane.
This move brought her 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.
She’s constantly being exposed to new ideas and trends through networking with other artists around Australia and internationally, occasionally attending workshops to keep her skills up to date.
When it comes to technique, Denise represents what is new and funky about painting and design, with a style that dabbles in both traditional and modern styles. Her work is striking, personal and is easily relatable to the modern woman. It speaks to the woman at home, at play and at work and the woman who seeks the fusion of these three parts of her life.
Like all artists her work is ever evolving but at the core of each piece are the joys of feminine life, with vibrant colour and distinct form.
Denise says, "Motherhood and friendship are a constant source of inspiration for me, and my style embraces elegant simplicity”.
A private commission has seen Denise link up with good friend and journalist, Sarah Schofield, and design the front cover for her poetry book "Portraits & Love". She has just completed designing and painting for the cover of a cookbook named “The Chef & I” released nationally in 2010.
In 2009 a State Govt. initiative with Queensland Urban Ecology; Denise participated in a community project to beautify some traffic signal boxes, she donated her time and painted two bright additions to the Mooloolaba and Alexandra Headland streetscape much to the delight of locals and visitors.
When people see Denise’s work they often feel the need to commission personalised pieces, which is one of Denise Daffara’s fortes. These pieces are now represented in various Australian and overseas collections.
Her work is for sale through the Sunshine Coast's most beautiful gallery - Tiffany Jones Fine Art Gallery
(and/or may be commissioned on request.)
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)
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 drawing and painting. Her sister Maria, who was an accomplished and talented artist, influenced her work and her decision to choose art as her career. In the late eighties Denise emigrated to Australia and later she settled into the sunshine and beach lifestyle on the Sunshine Coast, an hour north of Brisbane.
This move brought her 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.
She’s constantly being exposed to new ideas and trends through networking with other artists around Australia and internationally, occasionally attending workshops to keep her skills up to date.
When it comes to technique, Denise represents what is new and funky about painting and design, with a style that dabbles in both traditional and modern styles. Her work is striking, personal and is easily relatable to the modern woman. It speaks to the woman at home, at play and at work and the woman who seeks the fusion of these three parts of her life.
Like all artists her work is ever evolving but at the core of each piece are the joys of feminine life, with vibrant colour and distinct form.
Denise says, "Motherhood and friendship are a constant source of inspiration for me, and my style embraces elegant simplicity”.
A private commission has seen Denise link up with good friend and journalist, Sarah Schofield, and design the front cover for her poetry book "Portraits & Love". She has just completed designing and painting for the cover of a cookbook named “The Chef & I” released nationally in 2010.
In 2009 a State Govt. initiative with Queensland Urban Ecology; Denise participated in a community project to beautify some traffic signal boxes, she donated her time and painted two bright additions to the Mooloolaba and Alexandra Headland streetscape much to the delight of locals and visitors.
When people see Denise’s work they often feel the need to commission personalised pieces, which is one of Denise Daffara’s fortes. These pieces are now represented in various Australian and overseas collections.
Her work is for sale through the Sunshine Coast's most beautiful gallery - Tiffany Jones Fine Art Gallery
(and/or may be commissioned on request.)
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
