“My favorite color varies from week to week,” said Susan Darling, a lifelong artist who just happens to be the manager of mail services at Elizabethtown College.

Darling’s artwork was featured in the annual Harrisburg Gallery Walk on Sunday, Sept. 8. This is the second time that her art group, Mixed Media Art Group, has had exhibitions in the Harrisburg Gallery Walk.

She had one piece featured in Sunday’s gallery named “Mandala.“ This type of circular art design is a spiritual symbol in Buddhism and Hinduism that is meant to embody balance. Darling has made many of these circular art pieces, as she loves to find meditation within the art-making process and the finished product.

Not restricted to just the circular art, Darling works with various colors, textures, and dimensions to make collages. Unlike many traditional artists, she tries to find beauty in everyday objects, such as ripped up letters and maps of different cities and states that symbolize “our journey in life.” This use of recycled materials is very “green” or environmently-friendly. Watercolors, magazine clippings and other repurposed items create her collages.

Instead of paints and pastels, she creates rare pieces for her and others’ enjoyment. Her supply list includes: door knobs, broken plates, rings, scrap paper, beads and marbles that were found in her backyard. Even her office door is completely covered with art show advertisements that are laid out in a tile format, welcoming those who step into her office.

Other than framed pieces made mainly from paper and pictures, she has also done mosaic three-dimensional pieces, some of which are in the Marietta Art House in Marietta, Pa. In addition to traditional pieces of art, she wears self-made jewelry and pins. Darling also keeps track of busy weeks with her planner from OfficeMax that, with some redesigning and personalization, is now a unique and colorful notebook.

This member of the Etown community studied graphic design at Millersville University and received a bachelor’s degree in commercial art. Today, she practices a very unique type of art, much different from graphic design, during her free time.

Darling’s individual take on art has led her to become a very involved artist with many galleries. So, next time you check your mailbox, make sure to stop by and check in on this particular staff member and don’t forget to ask her what her favorite color is this week!