Dara Park - Fine Art Painter
Dara was born and raised in London. After school she moved to France and went to the École des Beaux Arts in Aix-en-Provence where she studied architectural draughtsmanship. However, apparently the life drawing classes held far more appeal than technical drawing so during the time spent in that sun-drenched land of Cézanne, she gradually turned to fine art.
She goes on to explain, “having painted compositions of figures in acrylic and oils for much of my career, in 2020 I moved completely to the medium of watercolour. The work on this website dates from that year until the present.
The subject matter now comes from gardens, woods and landscapes in England and abroad. Through pattern, shapes and threads of colour I seek to capture and interlace a lyrical and luminous potpourri of snapshots and observations based in those environments.
There are often small creatures (plus one cat and an iguana!) juxtaposed into the compositions. They are not always in plain sight, but they are each in their own way sentient beings contributing an important role to our ecosystem. They are all part of the eclectic mosaic of life.
The overall effect I am striving for is a tapestry like visual narrative of the different spaces and places that I inhabit and visit.”
Education
MA Fine Art (Painting) - City & Guilds of London Art School
BA French and Art History - Roehampton University, London
Exhibiting
Upcoming show: Wimbledon Art Trail Open House – 12th-13th September 2026
2021 RSSW (Royal Society of Painters in Watercolour) - 141st Open Annual Exhibition
2016-2026 Artfinder (online gallery)
2016 'Looking to the Stars' exhibition - The Brick Lane Gallery
2015 Merton Arts Trail with ‘Wild’ (Wimbledon Life Drawing)
2013 Merton Arts Trail Open House
2011 Merton Arts Trail Open House
2011 Open Studio (Spring + Autumn) – Wimbledon Art Studios
2010 Cork Street Open Exhibition — shortlisted
2009 Open Studio (Spring + Autumn) – Wimbledon Art Studios
2009 Exhibition with artist and philanthropist Susan Mensah (1968-2024), ‘Artists for Human Rights’ - The Garden Hall, St Mary’s Church (Wimbledon)
2009 Guildford High School Charity Auction—Guildford High School
2008 Kings College Charity Auction—Cotman Gallery, Kings College, Wimbledon
2008 Open Studio (Spring + Autumn) – Wimbledon Art Studios
2007 Open Studio (Spring + Autumn) – Wimbledon Art Studios
2005 Christies Charity Auction with The Art Movement
2004 Islington Art & Design Fair - Candid Arts Trust
2004 Affordable Art Fair with Hicks Gallery
2004 Islington Art & Design Fair - Candid Arts Trust
2003 Thomas Eggar Solicitors, London
2003 City & Guilds MA Degree Show
2001 4Cast Ltd. London – Solo representation throughout the company offices
2001 Ashridge Young Artists’ Exhibition (Hemel Hempstead)
2000 Dearle & Henderson Exhibition, London
1999 FI Young Artists’ Exhibition, Hemel Hempstead
1997 Ashridge Young Artists’ Exhibition, Hertfordshire
1996 Connoisseur Gallery, London
1995 The Cut Gallery, London
1985 Park Gallery, London
1984 RA Summer Exhibition, London
Additional viewing of work and communication
Instagram (daraparkpaintings)
Sales: Art finder (online gallery: Original Dara Park - artwork for sale | Artfinder) My works on Artfinder are different from those on this website and they are focussed on acrylic paintings.
Sales from this website: If you would like to make any enquiries about purchasing any of the works on the website, kindly email me on Contact Dara.
Staying in touch: Alternatively or equally, if you would like to sign up to receive news about any exhibiting and my 'studio notes', just write 'Communication' in the Subject box and "Yes please" in the message box on the same Contact Dara page.