Artist: Darlene Meltzer

Size: 30" x 40"

Media: Acrylic on Canvas

Artist Statement: "Sonnet" is a visual symphony of color, passion and musical influences. My desire was to create a mysterious landscape with the dancers being carried away by the passion of the music. My work combines elements of realism within an abstract landscape. My hope is that this painting leaves one feeling uplifted and inspired to let go and transcend to their world of mystery and magic.

Darlene Meltzer is living her dream. A successful artist, business owner, mom, and wife, she has created the life she always wanted -- and created a body of artistic work designed to empower the lives of those around her. Twenty-two years ago, when Meltzer was living in Hollywood, she was in a severe car accident that landed her in intensive care and left her bedridden for several months. While recuperating, she thought about the meaning of her life, what was important, and she decided she wanted to live somewhere beautiful, tranquil, and surrounded by nature. She and her now-husband, Lance, moved to Napa that same year. Meltzer couldn't work, but busied herself with volunteerism, working at the St. Helena Hospital, COPE and the Counseling Center. This work inspired her to enroll at Sonoma State to get her Bachelors degree in Psychology.

During that first year in Napa, she saw a notice for a class taught by local artist legend Lynne Tuft. She doesn't remember the exact title, but it was "a class for people who had never done art, had no skills, but had the interest". The class worked with watercolors and with mandalas,which are an ancient form that began in India. Darlene had always loved art; she had grown up near the La Brea Tar Pits and it was her favorite place as a child - she remembers being struck by the sculpture, the paintings, and the natural wonders. But she had never thought that she could be an artist. One class changed everything: "It all started with Lynne." 22 years later, Meltzer is a prolific artist, working in oils, acrylics, anbd monotypes.

Meltzer entwines her passion for psychology with her artistic talent. Before working on a piece, she finds her greatest inspiration in reading Yung, Thoreau, even Socrates - and in studying the natural world around her. She has also studied the work of Dr. Masaru Emoto, the scientist who documented the effects of negative and positive emotions on crystallized water. "Dr. Emoto proved scientifically that our thoughts create our reality," she says, and Meltzer is someone who lives by this mantra. "Life is about following one's own path, and when you can do that, find your personal purpose, it brings that light. There is a lot of yin and yang, lots of darkness, especially now, and if you can't see your own light and the purpose in your life, it can be really challenging to think positively. But if you are able to see your own light, you can fulfill your sense of purpose."

Meltzer is very active in the Napa community; she and her husband own the Silver Lining Preschool, as well as Main Street Martial Arts. The approach Darlene takes to her creative work can be seen in her business life as well. She and her husband chose to run a preschool so they would have the opportunity to work with and nurture the next generation in Napa; and their martial arts classes are designed to empower both children and adults to be able to defend and take care of themselves and bring out their inner strength.

Meltzer is still an active volunteer and donates to numerous worthy causes around the Valley. She is also launching a website called artforyourcause.com, inspired by the Art With Intention exhibit. While putting together the show, she realized that she can be of even greater service to the community through her work.

Darlene wears many hats -- mother, wife, and business partner, artist, volunteer -- but her passion is to give back to the community that has been so good to her. She loves living in Napa, loves how rich the arts are in this community, and she is dedicated to inspiring and empowering the people around her.

"My hope is that my art will inspire people to look into their own lives and realize the power we all have to create the life of our dreams."

(Above is from an article, Art With Intention, written by Michelle Williams)