Today we’d like to introduce you to Sophie Dare Dentiste.
Hi Sophie Dare, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I grew up surrounded by family farms in rural North Carolina, where I developed a deep love for the outdoors and the quiet beauty of everyday life. That appreciation for nature still inspires every painting I create today.
I earned my BFA in Graphic Design from the University of Georgia and In the 1990s, I became a muralist throughout the North Florida beaches. I painted in homes and businesses with lush gardens, coastal scenes, and wildlife. After the heartbreaking loss of our first son, my art took on a deeper purpose. Painting became part of my healing journey and a way to share hope, reminding others that beauty can still be found, even through seasons of grief.
I currently work from my home studio in Orange Park, Florida. After more than 30 years creating murals and painting in acrylics, I fell in love with oil painting and the challenge of capturing soft light, misty mornings, and the changing seasons. My paintings are richly textured with palette knife and are inspired by time spent outdoors, plein air painting, and traveling throughout the South. This desire to share nature with others has resulted in a new project – my Wings & Wonder Print Club. I create a monthly snail mail letter and coloring card based on one of my past paintings.
You can find my works at Anchored Studio Gallery on St. George St in St. Augustine, the Kiawah Art Collective, the First Coast Plein Air Society, and our local Art Guild Orange Park Gallery. I also enjoy teaching classes and live painting. My hope is that every painting encourages you to slow down, step outside, and notice the simple beauty that has been there all along.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I have a lot of history working in marketing, and applied that to my art business as well, but this is one of the biggest challenges for creatives – marketing yourself and your heartfelt creations. Art is deeply personal and healing for me, a way to process the challenges of life and loss, and we are putting ourselves out there daily. I spent many years doing festivals, markets and gallery events. I’ve seen my gallery tents crushed in Florida rain storms, presented at women’s conventions and so many experiences traveling across the South but my art business is shifting. In 2025, we (because each event also included help from my husband) decided to forego anymore outdoor events, and focus on projects I can do from home. My great Pyrenees is glad to have my company as I stay busy with my monthly print club, my online site, and several gallery representations. I also teach classes at Atlantic Beach Art Market and the Hilltop in Orange Park.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I think I am most known for my textured art, palette knife paintings. During the covid era, I got into heavy plaster art and Bas Relief. That eventually rolled into oil painting and using the palette knife. The added dimension of texture adds a sensory experience in the creation as well as for the viewer of my works, as the light hits it. I recently finished a 4-month exhibit in the main Gallery at JAX Airport. Each of my largescale paintings have an obscure butterfly hidden in it like a scavenger hunt. The travelers enjoyed trying to find them as they passed through. Butterflies have significant inspirations for different people.
But for us we learned that it’s also the national symbol for bereavement. In probably the darkest season of my life, after the loss of our son, Joshua, at 8, butterflies were also the inspiration to get back to painting again. I guess that is the main inspiration for my life’s work. There is still beauty and hope in seasons of grief.
This summer season, I’ve been working on a new collection called “Florida Nostalgia”, that will highlight some favorites like shrimp boats and local fare, as well as a Brahman Farm I visited this year. I love the process of traveling and gathering reference as much as the painting of it! It will be released July 25th, at Anchored Gallery on St. George St in Saint Augustine.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
I have been blessed to have a core group of artists that have supported me and my work for many years. I joined the local Art Guild of Orange Park in the greater Jacksonville area. I encourage any creative to find their local groups and participate. It’s a great way to connect, learn and expand their own creative practice.
For those who have an interest in starting a mural business, I also created a small book on Amazon that shared the details. It’s called WALLS THAT SPEAK, listed under Dare Publishing.
Www. Sophiedare.com
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sophiedare.com
- Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/sophiedaredesigns
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/sophiedaredesignsfb
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sophiedaredesigns
- Other: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Dare-Publishing/author/B0FRGKK4DD
