Bio

Dara Handy, born in Mesa, Arizona has grown up under the sun, with its beautiful mountains and prickly cacti. Dara loves color and being outside with the people she loves. Raised in a devout Catholic family, Dara also considered many deep philosophical ideologies. She expounded on the philosophies she acquired, drawing the ideas she had and anything she thought was beautiful. From childhood, her parents encouraged this and enrolled her into Chandler-Gilbert Community college at age 13.

 

Her interest in drawing turned to painting with watercolors and flourished from there.  After high school, she began using oils introduced in her in courses at Benedictine University, where all of her painting courses were taught by artist, Michael Tole, who was able to assist her in a generation of new pieces and forming her new love of oils.

 

Dara has placed her work in Benedictine University’s annual Manifesto, a student art show, every spring since 2014. She has also been commissioned by University of Mary in Tempe and has two pieces in their old Newman building.

 

Dara lives and works in Redlands, California.