Sikeston, Mo., artist Darlene Spell puts nature photos on canvas

FRED LYNCH ~ flynch@semissourian.com Darlene Spell poses in front of a canvas print of a photograph she took at the Juden Creek natural area in Cape Girardeau. [Click to enlarge]

The St. Louis-born photographer lives in Sikeston, Mo., but spent much of her childhood traveling. Spell's brother was in the Navy, so she traveled around the country to visit him in various locations. Along the way, she was given a 35mm all-in-one camera that she said she carried everywhere. Now, 20 years later, she's still clicking away.

Four years ago Spell had a workman's comp injury, leaving her with time to fulfill her passion with full force and become her own boss. She takes nature pictures and landscape photographs. Her parents, who have always taken pictures as a hobby themselves, used to take her camping, boating and fishing.

"I love being out in nature," Spell said. "It's really when I come alive. Every day is so different and so unique."

She prints her pictures on artist's canvas instead of regular photo paper. She started out printing on regular paper, then decided to try one or two photos on canvas. Spell has gone completely digital, using a wide format printer. She buys the canvas on the Internet because it's so specialized it can't be bought in nearby stores, even St. Louis.

FRED LYNCH ~ flynch@semissourian.com A close-up of Darlene Spell's sunset photograph reveals the detail of the canvas. [Click to enlarge]

Spell said the process takes more than a week. It involves printing, drying, sealing, mounting and framing. But she said it's all worth it.

"There's something about the artist's canvas that brings out the unique quality of a nature shot," she said.

In November, she was part of the Juried Art Exhibition at the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri in Cape Girardeau. Her art has also been displayed at the 2008 Bootheel Regional Artists Guild Art Exhibition, The Sikeston Depot in Sikeston over this summer, 2008 Artscape at Capaha Park, and the Charles Rhinehart Art Walk 2007 by Charleston Arts & Tourism in Charleston, Mo., in June 2007 among many others. She has been in more than 30 juried art exhibition. She was also featured in the 2006 Missouri Vacation planner.

From now until June she is being featured at the AJAS Juried Art Exhibition at the American Juried Art Salon in Plano, Texas, which is an international event. This is an online exhibition at www.artjury.com.

Spell lives in Sikeston with her husband. She said they have a six children, two grandchildren and a family full of cameras. For more information, go to www.darlenesnell.com.