BLAC Artist of the Week: Darin Darby, the Layered Puzzled Image Originator

Artist of the Week is Darin Darby. Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, Darby established himself as a self-taught visual artist. His artistic roots derive from his drawings of comic book characters with pencils, evolving into creations by use of colored pencils, charcoal, pastels and acrylic paint in his early twenties. 

It was in 2014 when Darby created his trademarked art technique, Laypuzzim® (layered puzzled image). As described by the artist, Laypuzzim® art is created by cutting textured card stock paper, mat board, or wood. Each individual color of the artwork is cut out by hand, layered, and puzzled together to create an image using negative space. 

Darby’s artwork, which has been included in exhibitions at several galleries throughout Metro Detroit, Ohio, Chicago and Kentucky, holds inspiration in biblical themes, stimulating messages, and uncredited, historic, Black figures. Take a look at Darin Darby’s work on his website and on Instagram.