04/12/2026
Canvas Rebel Interview-Darlene Rivera-Part 1
Go to profile About Me for full article.
Darlene, when did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?
The Turning Point: When Art Chose Me
I didn’t choose to be a professional artist; it truly feels as though the path chose me.
Though I was recognized for my creative talent as a child, life eventually led me away from the canvas for decades. It wasn’t until the age of 48—amidst the weight of a long-term job loss in addition to some traumatic personal issues I was challenging—that I found my way back. I had spiraled into alcoholism, and with no outside help to become sober, I turned to art as my sole lifeline. It was art, and art alone, that got me through my recovery.❤️