Darian Hughes
Name: Darian (Mosluk) Hughes
Graduation year & Degree: 2017, Bachelor’s of Fine Arts
Major: Painting
Marywood Clubs/Activities: Zeta Omicron, Kappa Pi Art Honor Society
Current Occupation: Artist/Owner of dariantaylormade.com
How long at current job: I created my own business in 2019
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dariantaylormade/
Current Website: https://dariantaylormade.com
What was your favorite part about studying art at Marywood?
Marywood gave me the opportunity to learn about what life as an artist had to offer. I was able to study all forms of art that interested me like painting, sculpture and printmaking. However, my favorite part was being surrounded by artists learning and teaching one another. It was always interesting to see how we all used the critiques and conversations to grow and shape our ways of creating art.
How did your art education at Marywood help your career?
Marywood taught me overall the most important part about being an artist is to keep making art! This may seem like something we should all know but it’s harder than it seems. I would often find myself stuck overthinking about how to start the perfect creation before I even made a mark on the page. The professors at Marywood showed me to think about making art as a conversation. Make the first mark on the page and then react to it. Keep an open mind to changing direction along the way. Whenever I get stuck on a project I just start another one. Usually one idea will inspire another and it keeps your creative mind wandering.
The professors at Marywood showed me to think about making art as a conversation. Make the first mark on the page and then react to it. Keep an open mind to changing direction along the way.
What attracted you to this career path?
I love to create all types of art and having my own brand gives me the freedom to do that. I work on commissioned pieces, wholesale, and made-to-order products on my website. I like to keep my options open to many types of opportunities.
Did your career path match your vision of a career path? What’s different?
Not exactly. Originally I wanted to show my paintings in galleries for people to experience. Overtime I felt like I wanted more than that. My grandmother taught me how to crochet when I was 10 years old and it was a craft I continued throughout my life. I started to incorporate it into my paintings after college and then slowly just started crocheting more than painting. It felt good to put all of my energy into crochet because I felt so confident in the final products. Creating a piece of art someone could wear just seemed so much more appealing to me.
What is your favorite thing about your current job?
My favorite thing about my job is coming up with new patterns and color combinations for my designs. I love having the freedom to create whatever gets me excited without restrictions set by someone else.
Are you currently working on any interesting side projects?
I’m always working on commissions while coming up with my next creations to release. I often will sell the original creation so I write down my crochet pattern in case I need to recreate it for myself or someone else.
What are some of the biggest rewards in your career?
My biggest reward is when my crocheted creations come to life after hours of work. Crochet is labor intensive so when I see people wearing something I created, it really is the most amazing feeling.
What’s something that would surprise people about your day-to-day?
In addition to all of the many projects I am working on, my number one job is being a new mom! My beautiful baby boy is my most amazing creation yet.
What inspires you?
I am inspired by things I see in nature or other types of art I am attracted to. Different color or shape combinations spark an idea and then I search for the fiber materials appropriate for my design.
Although sometimes it is the other way around and I find a type of yarn that inspires a design because of the color or the way it feels.
Anything else you’d like to share?
As an artist we all have to learn how to deal with rejection in our own ways. It’s important to keep your head up and try to figure out where your art fits in this world.
Any advice for current art students at Marywood?
My advice is to keep making art that excites you and allow yourself to change direction if you are inspired by something new. Take advantage of Marywood’s faculty, staff, and facilities to explore all types of art while you can.
Visit Darian online at: dariantaylormade.com and on Instagram @dariantaylormade
To view past Alumni Stories from other Marywood graduates, visit: https://wherecreativityworks.wordpress.com/category/alumni-stories/
