Danielle McKinney

Danielle Mckinney (b. 1981, Montgomery, AL) creates intimate, cinematic portraits of solitary women immersed in moments of leisure and introspection. Her figures, set in moody, dreamlike interiors, lounge on unmade beds, recline in chairs or sprawl on the floor, engaged in quiet rituals such as smoking, reading or meditating. Mckinney’s paintings are rich with emotional nuance, using light, shadow and vivid colors like orange and pink to evoke a sense of beauty, mystery and stillness.

 

Drawing inspiration from art history, her work channels the spiritual depth of Zurbarán, the vibrant palettes of Matisse and the voyeuristic interiors of Hopper. Her narratives remain elusive, inviting viewers to interpret the untold stories of her subjects. Mckinney's exploration of female solitude and ritual is deeply personal, reflecting her own search for belonging. Her figures, often adorned with crucifixes or engaged in beauty routines, suggest the sacredness of private moments, whether spiritual or mundane.

 

Her paintings are held in major museum collections, including the Hirshhorn Museum, Dallas Museum of Art and Studio Museum in Harlem. Influenced by Black American portraitists like Barkley L. Hendricks and Kerry James Marshall, Mckinney emphasizes Black female independence and agency. Using photographs and Art Deco interiors as references, she crafts luminous, contemplative works that celebrate beauty and solitude, blending personal and cultural narratives. Currently based in Jersey City, NJ, she continues to redefine contemporary portraiture.