Meet Darren Segool | Teacher and Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Darren Segool and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Darren, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
I was raised in Upstate New York in the heart in the Adirondacks called, Tupper Lake. With mountains, rivers, ponds, and endless forests right outside my door, the great outdoors became part of my soul. My friends and family would wander the woods and climb countless mountains enjoying every breath and step. However, I migrated to North Carolina after college to begin my teaching career. Art was always important to me and I showed promise at a young age making cartoons and decorations for my family. Once I started teaching, I found art was a fantastic way to engage my students explain the beauty of creating art.
I began my art business in 2017 making woodburning(pyrography) designs on scraps of wood. This passion led to painting birds and pets. My artwork is extremely unique, even niche. I combine woodburning, wood stains, and acrylic paints to create multimedia pieces.
While I still teach middle school fulltime, my artwork has become my second career. I will hopefully expand my online presence once retired, and place 100% of my efforts toward creating artwork.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I inherited my love for woodworking from my father. He was a gifted carpenter who created and refinished countless projects. They smell of freshly cut wood will forever trigger fond memories of my dad. He passed before I could learn his skillset in creating furniture. My grandmother was a famous quilter and received dozens of awards and accolades. She used to dye her own fabric, and would create quilts from photos! I used this concept to mix my own wood stain colors to paint with. I don’t know of anyone else creating artwork with wood stain, woodburning, and acrylic paints. I use all types of species of wood, and love irregular sizes that most people would send to the burn pile.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
My little town of Fuquay-Varina, NC is always begin listed as one of the top ten most desirable places to raise a family in North Carolina. We have five very friendly breweries that are a must visit when coming here. We have plenty of unique places to eat, as well, from steak houses to Mexican eateries. Many of our restaurants and breweries feature live music.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to recognize my friends and family who have supported my art business. They have trusted me to create thousands of pieces to remember loved ones, celebrate anniversaries and weddings, and to memorialize the passing of their pets. It’s been an honor to create these pieces of celebration and remembrance.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adirondack_art_company/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AdirondackArtCo/