Art is all around us, in animate and inanimate things. For some people spotting the artistic beauty in even the mundane, isn’t something that comes naturally. But for Danielle Mckinney, she was born to lead in the world of Contemporary Art.
In a society where women’s voices are often muffled, Danielle McKinney’s work speaks boldly, tilting more towards introspective, and unapologetically feminine paintings. As we celebrate Women’s History Month, her story serves as a powerful reminder of how embracing one’s authentici self can transform not just a career but an entire art form.
Little Beginnings: From Camera To Canvas
Born and raised in Montgomery, Alabama, USA, Danielle has always had the support of her family. After her mother gifted her an old Nikon camera, and her mum introduced her to painting, from as young as 15, her curiosity for the arts was ignited.
Pursuing a BFA from The Atlanta College Of Art, and an MFA from Parsons School Of Design, also helped hone her craft. She developed an eye for composition, light, and storytelling—skills that would later become the basis of her career as a Visual Artist. For years, McKinney mastered her craft as a photographer, exploring the depths of humanity and identity through her lens. But it wasn’t until 2020, at the peak of the COVID-19 lockdown, did her career take a monumental shift. With people holed up in their homes, and no opportunity for photography, she found her passion for painting.
This shift was smooth as she had already built a photographer’s precision and a storyteller’s heart. It was also a powerful evolution in her ability to express the interior lives of her subjects—primarily Black women depicted in moments of solitude and self-reflection.
Photo Credit: Pierre Le Hors.
Her Art-Her Message
For Mckinney, painting is much more than a medium—it’s an avenue for reinventing black feminine representation. Her works are Afro-centric, celebrating the strength, complexity, and beauty of women, with zero need for external validation. This focus resonates with a generation of art lovers and collectors, hungry for authentic and diverse narratives.
Danielle’s paintings are a reflection of her personal life. In a recent interview she shared that her subjects are often portrayed in contemplative poses, enjoying solitude, even amitds activities. These depictions invite viewers into a world that is at once personal and universal.
Leading In The Art World
Since her shift to painting, Danielle McKinney’s rise has been meteoric. Her first solo exhibition, “Smoke and Mirrors,” received critical acclaim, with collectors and curators alike drawn to her masterful use of color and her ability to convey complex emotions. She has also had her work showcased in prestigious galleries, including Marianne Boesky Gallery in New York, solidifying her status as a rising sensation in the art world.
In 2022, Mckinney was listed among the most influential contemporary artists to watch, a recognition that highlighted not just her talent but also her impact on expanding the narratives available to Black women in art. By presenting her subjects in moments of introspection and power, McKinney challenges the historical underrepresentation of Black women in portraiture and reframes the conversation around identity and autonomy.
In honor of Women’s History Month, we celebrate countless women, who like Danielle McKinney are succeeding in unconventional industries and careers.
