Weinstein’s Works of Art Sparkle & Shine

Sassy and sparkling artist, “glittery gal” Danielle Berke Weinstein, is particularly drawn to materials that catch and reflect light, because they bring movement and energy to her finished pieces.

She explained, “My work is whimsical, joyful, and highly textured. I primarily work with acrylic paint and mixed media, layering materials to create depth and visual interest. I incorporate glitter, gemstones, and reflective elements sourced from a variety of art supply and specialty stores.”

Texture is central to her work where she wants viewers to feel drawn in, not just by color, but by dimension and the way light interacts with the surface. She added, “Each piece is meant to feel uplifting and celebratory at first glance.”

Weinstein’s Judaica pieces are especially stand-outish. Her overall inspiration comes from nature, childhood nostalgia, and Judaism. Weinstein explained, “Judaica is a particularly meaningful part of my work. I’m drawn to the hamsa for its symbolism of protection, strength, and blessing. I also create pieces inspired by my Jewish identity and by Israel. These themes feel deeply personal, and creating Judaica allows me to express pride, connection, and continuity through art.”

Color plays a central role in her work. While Weinstein uses a broad palette, she’s especially drawn to rich jewel tones — deep blues, vibrant pinks, emerald greens, and purples. She chooses colors intuitively, sometimes guided by mood and symbolism rather than strict rules. Her method begins with preliminary drawings before moving to canvas. Planning gives her a framework, but once the painting begins, there is room for intuition and organic changes. A single piece typically takes between four to eight hours to complete, depending on the level of detail and layering involved, working on one piece at a time “to stay fully immersed in that creative world.”

Weinstein was born and raised in a suburb of Los Angeles, where creativity took center stage. She began taking formal fine art lessons at a private studio at the age of eight. She continued studying art outside of school and into college, gaining experience with a variety of media including pastels, watercolors, and oil paints.

She graduated from the University of California, Santa Cruz. After college, she earned a master’s degree in education from California Lutheran University and went on to work as a middle-school science teacher for several years. She said, “Teaching deeply shaped how I think about process, experimentation, and curiosity — all of which influence my artwork.”

In addition to her art background, she worked as a graphic artist, creating educational clip art for teachers who design and sell science curriculum. That work allowed her to blend her background in science education with visual design.
She also works in her husband’s family business while raising three very young children. Because of that, her art practice exists within the margins of a very full life, primarily at night and on weekends, carving out time. “That balance between structure and spontaneity mirrors my creative process,” she related.

From her home studio, Weinstein creates late at night when the house is quiet while listening to music. She concluded, “I’ve found that people are deeply drawn to artwork that reflects something personal to them — a place they call home, a school they love, or a meaningful connection. Creating the location and school-based pieces allows me to blend symbolism with identity, turning familiar images into something celebratory and personal. Recently, I’ve created a painting of a map of Georgia as well as a UGA bulldog.”

Find Weinstein on Instagram @threehiddengemsart. She accepts commissions, and prices generally range from $125 to $350 depending on size and detail. Weinstein’s handles, “Three Hidden Gems,” are inspired by her daughters — a toddler and infant twins — who are “truly the gems of her life. Motherhood has deeply influenced my work, and each piece reflects the love, hope, and joy I feel for my girls,” she stated.