Art as a Journey of Freedom and Joy
Painting is my way of connecting with the world. Each piece I create carries a story of joy, transformation, and harmony with nature. This interview is a glimpse into who I am as both an artist and a person.
Q: Who is Danielle Siauw, the artist behind these paintings?
I am a contemporary realism painter who finds inspiration in the beauty of nature, animals, and the quiet poetry of everyday life. Beyond the canvas, I am a seeker of freedom, balance, and authenticity. I am a true introvert who likes my own company, to introspect and to do art.
Q: What led you to painting?
I have been drawing and painting since childhood. One of my earliest memories is winning my first art competition in Primary 1, and I can still picture myself doodling across the pages of my textbooks, completely lost in imagination. Life eventually took me on a different path. I pursued studies in Economics and Math instead of art, and later built a career in IT, e-commerce, and marketing. For many years, I thrived professionally in the corporate world, yet often felt a deep disconnection from my inner self. About 20 years ago, I picked up my brushes again, and painting became my sanctuary, a space to heal, to breathe, and to remember who I truly am. What began as a way back to myself grew into something far greater. Over time, it became not just a passion, but my true calling.
Q: How would you describe your style?
I work in contemporary realism infused with a dreamlike imagination. My subjects include animals, flowers, nature, and still life, each carrying a sense of wonder and quiet joy. Painting animals and plants is, for me, an act of love and reverence, a way of honoring the natural world that offers balance against the noise and negativity around us. I am drawn to bold, vibrant colors and varied brushstrokes, using them to reveal the textures and vitality of each subject. Even in my abstract works I echo the rhythms of the earth, from corals to plants and other organic forms, so that every piece feels alive, pulsing, and full of spirit, as if it has its own heartbeat.
Q: What do you hope viewers feel when they see your art?
I hope my paintings spark joy, reflection, and a gentle reminder of our connection to the natural world. Whether it is a playful cat, a shimmering koi fish, or a wildflower in bloom, I want people to pause and feel a sense of harmony. Above all, I hope my art brings comfort and happiness, even in life’s darkest moments, to those who welcome it into their lives.
Q: How does your personal journey shape your art?
My art is a reflection of transformation. Leaving behind decades in corporate life, I embraced painting full-time to live with more authenticity. Yoga, travel, and personal healing also shape my work, teaching me resilience, mindfulness, and balance. I am in my happy place now, living life on my own terms. I am free from the weight of rules, regulations, and the opinions of others.
Having spent so many years in corporate life, I am grateful for the structure and discipline it instilled in me. That experience has shaped my art practice by teaching me the value of consistency and focus. My motto is simple: bad art is better than no art. Every painting teaches me something, showing me what works and what does not. I do not sit around waiting for inspiration; I put thoughts into action and paint regardless of mood. This discipline not only fuels my creativity but has also been invaluable in building my art business. Failure is better than inaction.
Q: What series are you most proud of?
Each series carries its own soul. Whiskers & Wonders, my playful cat collection, celebrates the joy and companionship animals bring into our lives and is inspired by my own cats, Oreo and Bobby. Freedom Girl holds a different kind of meaning. I began this series right after leaving behind 30 years in the corporate world, during a time when I felt lost and disillusioned. Painting became my way of rescuing myself from those thoughts. With each brushstroke, Freedom Girl grew into a symbol of liberation, representing the moment I broke free from the invisible shackles that had bound me and stepped fully into my own freedom.
My latest online exhibition One Earth, Many Hearts is a tribute to my love and reverence for animals and nature, and to the deep ways they are intertwined with our lives. It reflects how vital they are to our ecosystem, not just as companions or fleeting moments of beauty, but as an essential part of the balance that sustains us all.
The exhibition brings together two threads of my practice. My animal paintings honor the spirit, playfulness, and presence of the creatures we share our world with. They remind us of the joy, companionship, and responsibility that come with living alongside them. Alongside these, my organic and cellular abstracts echo the pulse of the earth itself, corals, roots, and microscopic forms that show life’s hidden rhythms. Together, they form a conversation between the seen and the unseen, the personal and the universal.
One Earth, Many Hearts is both a celebration and a gentle call to pause, reflect, and remember that our well-being is inseparable from the well-being of the natural world.
Q: Beyond painting, who is Danielle as a person?
I am an explorer at heart, always curious about the world around me. Yoga grounds me, animals bring me immense joy, and I feel deeply connected to nature, especially big old trees that carry wisdom and presence. Travel inspires me and opens my eyes to new perspectives. At my core, I simply want to bring light and joy into the world through art.
I value authenticity because I cannot stand pretense. What you see is what you get with me, I do not hide behind masks. I also consider myself intuitive; I read people quickly and often with accuracy, though I am still learning to fully trust my own intuition. This commitment to authenticity is why I love animals so much. They are pure, genuine beings, and in them I see a reflection of the honesty I strive to live by.
Q: What’s next for you?
I’m working on expanding my collections, sharing my art through YouTube and online exhibitions, and building meaningful connections with collectors worldwide. I see my journey as just beginning, with each painting opening new paths.
Through her art, Danielle invites us to pause, breathe, and see beauty with fresh eyes.
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