Deep Dive: Beach Walk by Darlene Kulig
Posted by Jasen Robillard on
Artist: Darlene KuligPuzzle Design: Jasen Robillard
Dimensions: 36 cm x 21.6 cm
Piece Count: 240
Difficulty: 1 out of 5
"How we all love to create! It is a little bit of the divine in us.”
- Lucy Maud Montgomery.
Complete Journals II, 100 - April 19, 1904
About the Artist
Darlene Kulig’s paintings are bold and joyous, whimsical and eye-catching. Her work is described as semi-abstracted spirited landscape and each painting is dotted with her signature, effervescent champagne bubbles. Her Canadian landmark and landscape paintings are reminiscent of a time spent at a lakeside cottage, a hike through an Ontario woodland, the majesty of the mountains in the west, and the beauty of the red sand dunes in the east.
Originally from Ottawa, Darlene moved to Toronto to study at the Ontario College of Art & Design. She worked as a Graphic Designer for 20 years and also ran her own own studio where she developed her strong work ethic and a solid tool box. The designer in her loves simple shape and bold colour while the painter in her explores light, rhythm, and personal connection.
As a member of the Etobicoke Art Group and the Neilson Park Creative Centre, where she studies and paints, you can find her work in galleries across Canada and the United States, as well as in private collections around the world.
Links
Darlene Kulig's Artist Website
Darlene Kulig's Instagram Profile
The History of Prince Edward Island, Canada
Anne of Green Gables - All Things Anne
Jasen's Puzzle Design Notes
I first came across Darlene's art in puzzle form via the work of Toronto's legendary Puzzled by Paul Puzzles. Darlene and I eventually met at the 2023 Spring One of a Kind show in Toronto, through the kind introduction of our friends at Puzzle Nerds.
When Darlene and I were selecting art in the fall, Beach Walk Pink and Pale Green Sunset stood out to me as I had recently walked this beach with my family earlier that summer. The location is the North Shore of PEI, about 20 minutes from Cavendish in Sea View. Our single day on the island and Cavendish beach was particularly windy but magical nonetheless. We vowed to return to PEI one day, to give it a proper visit and exploration.
Beach Walk Pink and Pale Green Sunset was created by Darlene to honour her French Canadian mother, Jacqueline Kulig. I wanted to honour her original intent by weaving fond memories into the puzzle. For Darlene, pink is the colour of unconditional love and her mother is forever in the changing sky as Darlene walks her own path. Jacqueline was also an avid gardener. Flowers, hearts and stabilizing marram grass locks are placed appropriately within the canvas as additional notes and reminders to revisit the fondest memories of the people we love, anchored by the places we visited together.
I hope this puzzle fills the gap until your next (or first) visit to Prince Edward Island!
Whimsy List
- 2x Great Blue Herons
- 2x Sandpipers
- Sea Star
- Blue Jay
- Fox
- Scallop Shell
- Footprints
- Sand Castle
- Lighthouse
- Fishing Boat
- Fleur-de-lys
- Wave Dancer
- Anne with Lupens in Basket
- Prince Edward Island
