Born in 1986, Danie Cansino is a Los Angeles-based artist and educator whose work deeply reflects her Chicanx heritage and the vibrant culture of her community. She earned her Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of Southern California (USC), where she is now an Adjunct Professor at the USC Roski School of Art and Design. Charlie James Gallery+3Charlie James Gallery+3Charlie James Gallery+3Charlie James Gallery+2Charlie James Gallery+2Charlie James Gallery+2
Artistic Style and Mediums
Cansino’s artistry is characterized by bold chiaroscuro oil paintings and intricately detailed ballpoint pen drawings. Her subjects often include herself, family members, and close friends, capturing the essence of their shared environments—homes, neighborhoods, and the cityscape of Los Angeles. This intimate portrayal serves as a homage to her family, city, and culture, preserving the narratives of the Chicanx and Latinx communities. Charlie James Gallery+2Charlie James Gallery+2Charlie James Gallery+2Charlie James Gallery+2Charlie James Gallery+2Charlie James Gallery+2
Exhibitions and Collections
Her work has been showcased in numerous esteemed institutions, such as the Rubell Museum, Long Beach Museum of Art, Muzeo Museum, Vincent Price Museum, UCLA, AMOCA, UTA Artist Space, Felix Art Fair, Human Resources Gallery, The Mistake Room, USC Roski, Thinkspace, Tlaloc Studios, and Charlie James Gallery. Notably, her pieces are part of the permanent collections at the Rubell Museum, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the Xiao Museum of Contemporary Art, and AltaMed. Charlie James Gallery+2Charlie James Gallery+2Charlie James Gallery+2
Representation and Recent Projects
Represented by Charlie James Gallery in Los Angeles, Cansino has participated in significant art fairs, including the Independent Art Fair in New York in May 2024 and the Material Art Fair in Mexico City in February 2025. At the Independent Art Fair, she presented “Punto de Vista,” a solo exhibition featuring paintings on unconventional supports like Mexican serape and leather, highlighting the resilience and pride of women in male-dominated fields. Her participation in the Material Art Fair further solidified her presence in the international art scene. Charlie James GalleryCharlie James Gallery+1Charlie James Gallery+1
Personal Connection and Cultural Impact
Cansino’s work serves as a visual love letter to her heritage, capturing the lived experiences of the Chicanx community in Los Angeles. By integrating traditional elements with contemporary narratives, she not only preserves but also elevates the stories of her people, ensuring their voices resonate within the broader art discourse.Charlie James Gallery+4Charlie James Gallery+4Charlie James Gallery+4
Conclusion
Danie Cansino’s dedication to portraying the depth and beauty of Chicanx culture through her art has established her as a significant figure in contemporary art. Her work continues to inspire and educate, bridging past and present, personal and communal, in a compelling visual narrative.
