Darlene The Artist

DARLENE is the first woman artist for TSR (1977), openly signing her first name to her art instead of hiding her gender behind her initials—which was a recommended practice at the time for women artists.

Through the Wizard-head logo, stationery for TSR and its Divisions, column art for The Dragon, ads, calendars, as well as cartography and illustrations for GenCon and the RPGA, DARLENE created TSR’s graphic look, collectively
defining TSR’s public image during their formative years.

Her most remembered contribution to fantasy gaming is as cartographer of The World of Greyhawk maps. Many of her iconic illustrations—the DMG title page unicorn, Party of Adventurers, Mermaid, Paladin & his war Horse… are now available online. Darlenetheartist.com/store

In 1980, DARLENE became the creator of 1st fantasy adventure role-playing card game, ten years before a more prominent game company claimed that distinction. “The Story of Jasmine” Fantasy Adventure saga is still being produced episodically (Patreon.com/Darlene_Artist)

DARLENE left the gaming industry in 1984 to pursue her MFA and worked as an art director, marketing specialist, and in the publishing industry until Gary Gygax encouraged her return in 2004. Since then, she is ecstatic to interact with her fans as a Special Guest of GaryCon.

Most recently, DARLENE gratefully acknowledges her intrepid fans for their kind donations to save her house in North Carolina.