Buffalo artist + entrepreneur Colleen Darby creates healing spaces with art.
“My path to inner peace began at the end of a crayon.”
Colleen Darby, photo by David Moog
A truly inspirational entrepreneur
Colleen Darby is an artist and nationally recognized creativity expert. Through her art, coaching, and hands on workshops, she helps people access their inner creative genius by using the power of their imaginations. Colleen Darby was diagnosed with cancer when she was 4 months pregnant. Through this stressful time, she discovered art offered her an escape from her fear and anxiety. Colleen is passionate about sharing what she's learned about the art and healing connections, and she has made it her mission to help as many people as possible with that knowledge. She created her mindful mandala meditations, an adult coloring book, to help people access their creativity. Colleen worked as an artist in residence on the oncology floor at Women's and Children's Hospital of Buffalo. Inspired by a patient who complained that the view from her bed in the sterile room always looked the same, Colleen began on a journey to change that.
In 2013, she ran a successfully funded Kickstarter campaign, A View for a Room, which transforms healthcare spaces. The campaign offered her the opportunity to go on a painting sabbatical where she completed 19 land escape paintings. The series was specifically created for medical environments, with scenes from nature collaged with positive messages.
Her powerful work helps patient and family members escape from the stress of a hospital stay with the power of art and imagination. Recently, Colleen's LandEscapes were featured during an Exhibit at the Kevin Guest House.
Be sure to Follow HER story along with her by liking her page at Colleen Darby Designs on Facebook.
“I believe it’s in the imagination that we can access a peaceful and meditative state that promotes healing.”
