Biography

Dianna, a color pencil artist, currently lives in southeastern Michigan. She grew up in Kane, Pennsylvania where her love for art began at an early age. Her father provided the spirit to help her believe in herself and her mother provided her with art lessons from a dear friend. She attended Edinboro State University and received her Bachelor of Science degree in art education. After heading a high school art program for many years, she moved to Michigan with her husband to raise their three children.

Dianna has exhibited her work in several juried shows throughout Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania and her work has made its way into many establishments and private collections both national and international.

As a traditional artist, she photographs her own subject matter in preparation for her journey. Inspiration comes from the beauty, innocence and simplicity of God's creations. She emphasizes the strong light and shadow and is inspired by the textures in her objects. Her goal as an artist is to focus on the subject and capture the essence of life in every pencil stroke she makes.

Dianna plans to continue using her God given talent to please Him and all who wish to enjoy it.

 

Artist Inspiration

My passion for art comes from within. As I create these works of art, I bond with them. They are my children with whom every stroke of the pencil I give another breath of life. Through my art I develop a relationship that is so strong, it completely envelops me with its innocence and beauty.

As with children, I care for my art and tend to its every need. When children are young, parents nurture and protect them. As I begin, I am very shielding, not allowing myself to make a single stroke on the paper until I have mentally prepared myself for the journey that lies ahead. A child changes your life just as my painting changes mine.

Raising children reveals so many things about ourselves we didn't know and my painting does the same for me.

Parents grow with children and I grow with my paintings. Each painting provides me with a newfound understanding of life. My floral series gave me a greater appreciation for the works of Mother Nature, how something so simple can be so complicated, so beautiful and at the same time arouse so many feelings and emotions.

The hardest part as a parent is letting go. With the completion of each work I feel that I am one step closer to fulfilling my dream. As with any dream, once you reach it, there is another waiting to be born. My paintings have filled me with joy, pleasure and satisfaction, it is not a feeling that can be described, it must be felt with the soul. I want to share my children with the world; I want them to draw you into their story, their energy, and their passion. Only then has my real dream come true.

 

Artist Statement

My passion for art comes from within; I am the sole creator. Every creation must begin somewhere; mine begins through the lens of a camera. Through this lens I view and capture the subjects that inspire me with their beauty, innocence, and simplicity. I am drawn to select subjects that display the contrasting shadows and strong light, combined with the captivating textures. With photo in hand, the journey begins.
My instruments used in these creations are simple and few, but together they wield the power to capture the essence of life. My tools through this journey are U-Art or Stonehenge paper, Prismacolor pencils, Caran D’Ache crayons, water, and at times brush and solvent.
After sketching my subject I begin layering the colors with as many as ten layers. This burnishing technique gives me the richness of oil paints. To enhance the smoothness and intensity I sometimes use a light brush of solvent at the end of the process. While this process may be slow and painstaking my ultimate satisfaction comes from seeing my customers entirely consumed in my new creation.
Once I have completed my original, I work closely with a Michigan printer whom I selected for their giclée printing process. I approve the color matching before the final printing of my limited edition prints. I take pride in signing and numbering each print.