Darren Haley was born in 1960 and showed his artistic flair at an early age. While growing up in eastern Canada, he developed a love for nature and being outdoors. In 1977 he moved to Calgary to begin a career in the petrochemical industry. Eventually his job took him to South Africa where he was so awed and inspired by the wildlife that his lifelong love of art was renewed. On returning to Canada in 1991 he began to paint full time. Darren’s first reproduction print was his 1995 Collectors Choice winner ‘The Decision’. Today Darren’s portfolio has broadened to include many Ducks Unlimited Sponsor prints, stamps and dozens of Giclee prints.
Darren is a dedicated naturalist who spends many hours observing and photographing the subjects for his paintings in their habitats. A self taught artist he combines a keen eye for scientific and anatomical detail with a loose painting style to create his authentic and distinctive wildlife portraits. Each day brings Darren wider recognition for the unique quality of his work. In 1995 and 96 for two consecutive years his work was honoured with the Collectors Choice Award at the Calgary Exhibition & Stampede’s Western Art Auction. Darren’s work has been selected a number of times by Ducks Unlimited to be included in their annual national artist portfolio. In 2000, and then again in back to back years in 2009 and 2010 Ducks Unlimited Canada selected Darren as their National Artist of the Year.
Website: www.darrenhaleyart.ca
