Darla McCammon is well known in Kosciusko County for a variety of reasons. Many know her from her many years as the director of the Animal Welfare League of Kosciusko County, or they may have read her book or worked with her at the Lakeland Art Association.

By Lauren Zeugner
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — You may know Darla McCammon by one of the many hats she’s worn in the community. She was director of the Animal Welfare League of Kosciusko County for many years, she’s a published author and she’s been writing the “Art in Action” column for more than 10 years. She also curates art exhibits for Mayor Joe Thallmer at the Warsaw City Hall art gallery.

“My trip to the Louvre, one of the most famous art museums in the world, was transforming for me,” she said. “The Mona Lisa by Leonardo Da Vinci was a big surprise. I was expecting a large painting, but in comparison to other works of famous artists in that museum, it was relatively small.

“Her smile, though, had me transfixed. What was she smiling about? I wondered. I still have a great curiosity about that painting.” That trip to Paris to visit the Louvre fulfilled a lifelong dream to visit the huge collection of the world’s most recognized art, from sculptures to paintings to relics.

A member of Lakeland Art Association, McCammon continues to paint and win awards for her mostly realistic work. She has won many awards for her art throughout her life. A recent winning work was her entry in the popular Ford Meter Box Calendar competition. Her work “Merganser Moms in Spring” made the cover of the calendar, which is distributed worldwide each year.

Darla McCammon continues to win awards for her artwork. This painting, “Merganser Moms in Spring,” is a winning piece in the popular Ford Meter Box Calendar competition. It will be featured on the cover of the calendar.

She began her artistic career in Southern California. She gives credit to the several art associations with whom she was affiliated when she lived in California for 15 years.

“I went to every art association meeting I could attend,” she said. “They always had a good artist such as Violet Parkhurst, whose work is in the White House Collection, and that artist would do a demonstration painting while I sat in awe and watched the canvas being magically transformed.

“I have taken instruction to learn how to paint, but those art league sessions were valuable because I learned about different styles, techniques and abilities from observing the work being created in front of my eyes.”

She enjoys working in multiple media formats, including oil, acrylic, water color and mixed media. “Art is therapeutic for me,” she said. “It can do the same for others.

“There is something about touching that brush to canvas or watercolor paper that feels like a communion with the beautiful world that surrounds us. I try to capture it and remember those precious moments.”

When asked about her passions in life, she smiled, “I love animals, art and authoring … but not necessarily in any particular order.” She explained art has always been something that relaxed, encouraged and fulfilled her.