About - Darcy Goedecke

Hi!

I’m an artist living in Olympia, WA and I create whimsical paintings of animals, flowers, and all things nature.

I’ve been an animal lover since I was a kid. Especially cats. If I wasn’t an artist, I would want to be a zoologist, nature photographer, or animal conservationist.

I love all things creative: singing, sewing, knitting, playing my ukulele, gardening, taking photos, playing with flowers, cooking, making home-made lip balm with beet root powder — you name it!

painting & Nature

I grew up making art, loving animals, thinking a lot, and exploring nature. I feel so blessed that I get to continue these passions as an adult and get paid for it!

Nature is where I feel most like myself — centered, confident, calm, and inspired. Staring at the stars or the intricacies of a dandelion puff always makes me feel connected to something bigger than myself.

In 2015, I left my corporate job and took the leap to pursue my art as a career! (It literally felt like a thrilling leap off a cliff)

I have learned SO much in this time and made a lot of art — which feels like my greatest accomplishment. It can be so challenging to get out of our own way and do. the. work. For this I am so proud :)

Writing & Depression

The other part of my art life is writing.

Ever since I was little, I’ve been very introspective and an observer. I’m very in tune with my own emotions and thoughts, and for some reason mentally catalogue everyone else’s experiences around me.

In my 20’s I learned that reality is not really… real. The way we perceive our lives, events, ourselves, and others is not some solid thing. There is no TRUTH to it. Each experience is created and manipulated by our own points of view.

This realization totally changed my life.

For as long as I can remember, I dealt with a lot of anxiety, depression, intense self-judgement and shame. I was constantly worried about being inadequate, and I thought everyone else probably thought the same thing about me. I was terrified of the world.

But then I began to learn that most of us feel this way to some degree. And also that every act of hatred or spite, comes from a deep inner pain, shame, or judgement of oneself.

Knowing that I was not alone, and that I could change the way I thought about and experienced things, to create a different reality, it was like I entered a whole new world of possibility!

Ever since, I’ve been obsessed with challenging and discovering ways to change my own reality, thoughts, and emotions, so I can live a happier, more fulfilled life!

And this is what I write about. The tools I find to bring more joy, happiness, and love into my life. How I see things with a more positive outlook. How I create lasting change. How I chase my dreams.

I see my art as little tidbits of this too. Celebrations of connection, joy, hope, wonder, and the magic and presence I find in everything.

Meet my family

I live in Olympia, WA with my partner, daughter, cat, and dog.

We love it here. It’s a 15-minute drive to the forest, while still close enough to visit our family in the bigger cities.

I gave birth to my daughter in June of 2022. I’m still adjusting to being a new mama (will I ever not?), but am looking forward to exploring the world and making art with her.