Darina was born in Kosice, Slovakia, and immigrated to Canada in 1980 with her husband, two very small children and two suitcases. 
Although art was always part of Darina’s life, it was put on hold by the responsibilities of starting a new life in a new country. She returned to art in 1995 after both children went off to university. 
Darina considers herself a perpetual learner. She continues to study from her extensive art book/DVD library and take workshops with exceptional contemporary painters in New York, Arizona, Texas, Montreal, Wyoming and elsewhere believing that you never stop learning and improving. 
Darina has participated in numerous group exhibitions with Arteast, Art Network Ottawa, Federation of Canadian Artists and Oil Painters of America, as well as juried shows with those organizations and won numerous awards.  Her biggest solo show was curated by the Slovak embassy in Ottawa, with 56 paintings.     
Her work can be found in private and corporate collections throughout North America, Europe, Australia and Israel. Besides her interest in fine arts, she has a master’s degree in psychology. 
Darina paints mainly with oils and does not shy from painting any subject. She feels that painting is a joy. Quite often for her it is also an oasis of peace, a source of nourishment for the soul in an otherwise chaotic world.

Darina joined Art in the Neighbourhood in 2023.

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She is also a member of Arteast, Ottawa; Art Network, Ottawa; Kanata Art Club; Oil Painters of America; and the Federation of Canadian Artists.

Prices range from $350 to $950