River E. C. Darling

River Darling graduated with a 2.1 from the Arts University in Bournemouth, where she studied Visual Communication after completing a Diploma in Art & Design specialising in hand-rendered animation. Her previous studies at Brockenhurst College comprised of Fine Arts, Ceramics and Photography, alongside English Language and Psychology.
Her work moves in contrasts; in bright colours such as those she found by wetting fossils as a child, painting ancient grey shells into pink, purple and blue watercolours. In the love of clean, bold, reproducible graphics, and the romantic grit of spontaneous brushworks and the tangible mark of a human hand. The fine balance where both mediums meet in strength are a fascinating challenge to her.

Growing up in both Dorset and The New Forest rooted her idealology to a love of nature, from the logical systems of life to the momentary beauty within the struggle of biological hierarchies. Having had many different species within her family over the years, there is often a strong anthromorphic quality to her references of animals.

Her young son now influences her newer work, from creating bright, tactile pieces with a lighter reading, accessible yet powerful, to the children’s illustrations she works on to create illustrated storybooks.

The interplay between traditional media and digital rendering has led her to explore how to create her own line of merchandise, which will be available to purchase directly by 2017.

She then plans to create a range of gender-neutral children’s apparel, a topic close to her heart as a young girl who loved dinosaurs, with a hope of helping her son and many other budding personalities to express themselves freely.

Currently available to undertake suitable commissions, Darling appreciates the support she has gained through social media and enjoys sharing aspects of her life and works.

Feel free to contact regarding the availability of any existing pieces, or for personal commissions. She has always recieved positive feedback from any work undertaken, and enjoys allowing the client to be actively involved during production.



BA (Hons) Visual Communication
FdA Visual Communication
FDip Art & Design