BIOGRAPHY
Diane ventured out west from her home town of Montreal Quebec after receiving a Bachelor of Science degree from Concordia University. She landed in Jasper AB where she revelled in the change in lifestyle from city girl to the Mountain culture. It was there that she started exploring painting in watercolour and showing her work in Shows and galleries. Diane garnered awards and in particular won a competition in which her paintings were purchased by the Jasper Park Lodge and made into gift cards and menu covers.
After two decades in Jasper Diane and her young family moved to St. Albert Ab. She quickly joined the arts community and became a resident artist and board member at St. Albert Visual Artists Association (VASA), an artist’s run centre. Diane continued to explore other mediums and was commissioned by corporate and individual clients for many paintings, including portraits. She was also hired to do sketch illustrations for a young adult’s book called “On Mountain Top Rock” by John McLay.
A few years ago a long-time dream of moving to the South Okanagan became reality. Diane is thrilled to be involved in the arts in this area and is an active member of the Federation of Canadian Artists (FCA). Since taking up residence in BC she has also entered FCA and Vancouver competitions and has had success, including first place awards.
Diane has a side to her that likes to have fun with her art, as seen in her “Funky Quail” and “Sometimes I Wander” series. Diane continues to do human and pet commissioned portraits for clients, mostly in watercolour. Looking forward, Diane is interested in trying new mediums, experimenting and using her experience and skills to create many more paintings that she hopes will entertain her patrons!
Select Exhibitions
2021 Square Mini Mural Auction, Cannery Brewing, Penticton BC.
2020 Mural Mosaic, St. Albert, AB.
2020 Social Distancing Exhibit, Federation Gallery, Granville island, Van BC.
2019 “Oasis” FCA group juried show, Peachland BC
2017 Connections National Juried Art Show, Shatford Centre, Penticton, BC
2017 Spring Colours- FCA Juried Art Show, Osoyoos Art Gallery
2016 Spring Colours- FCA Juried Art Show, Osoyoos Art Gallery
2016 Works on Paper 2016- Federation Gallery, Granville Island, Van. B.C.
2015 Steamrolled- Group Show-Penticton Art Gallery, BC
2014 New Digs- Front Street Gallery- Penticton, BC
2011 Trees a Crowd- Solo Show- VASA Studio Gallery- St. Albert, AB.
2011 Culture Making Art Exhibition-Group Show- King’s University College, Edmonton, AB.
2011 The 32nd Banff Centre Midsummer Ball Exhibit and Auction, Banff Centre.
2011 Live, Work and Play-Articulture-Governor Generals Awards Exhibit, St. Albert, AB.
2010 Oil & Water- Monk & Way-VASA Studio Gallery, St. Albert, AB
2010 Landmarks of St. Albert-VASA Group Show-Studio Gallery, St. Albert, AB.
2009 Open Water- CSPWC-Juried Show, Leighton Centre, Calgary, and AB.
2009 Edmonton’s Capital Ex-Northwest Originals Gallery
2008 New Works- Solo Show- Mountain Galleries at Fairmont JPL, Jasper, AB.
2008 Tuktu prayers- Group Show-Royal Alberta Museum, Edmonton, AB.
2005 Here and There- Solo Show- Studio Gallery, St. Albert, AB.
2001 Tis the Season- Solo Show- Mountain Foods/Artists Own, Jasper, AB
1997 Jasper Memories-Solo Show- Artists Own Gallery, Jasper, AB
1996 Jasper Collection-Group Show-Ortona Gallery, Edmonton, AB
Select Commissions/ Collections
2010 St .Albert High Schools Football Assoc.- Board of Directors commemorative piece
2008 Mountain Park Lodges 40th Anniversary-‘ Mountain Getaways’ series
2004 100 yrs. Of Art in Alberta-Dreamers and Doers- featured work
2001 Book Illustration-On Mountaintop Rock by John McLay
2000 Jasper Inn- Brochure Illustration
2000 Maligne Tours-Brochure Illustration
1996 37th Annual Premiers Conference-menu cover-painting presented to Premier Ralph Klein
1996 Jasper Inn (25 Anniversary) – corporate collection
1995 Interprovincial Pipeline Inc- Corporate gift
1993 Prizes-Men’s Mountain Classic Golf Tournament, Jasper, AB
Awards
2021 Award of Excellence-Oasis Art Exhibition, FCA Central OKanagan
2017 1st Prize-" Spring Colours" FCA Juried Show-Osoyoos BC
2016 1st Prize -"Spring Colours" FCA Juried Show-Osoyoos BC
2016 3rd prize-"Spring Colours" FCA Juried Sow-Osoyoos BC
2016 Honourable Mention-Works on Paper 2016- FCA Granville Island, Van. B.C.
2013 Nominated to ranks of City of St. Albert Unsung Heroes by VASA
2012 1st Place Advanced Category-Allied Arts Council, Spruce Grove- Open Competition
2012 Peoples Choice Award-Allied Arts Council ,Spruce Grove-Open Competition
1994 1st Place-Juried art Competition-Gregory J. Deagle Art Gallery (Jasper Park Lodge)
1991 1st Place- Drawing Category- Jasper Art Gallery-1st Annual Miniature Art Show
Related Activities
2020 Art for Breezeway Project, Penticton & District Arts Council, Penticton BC
2017 Donated time and expertice to paint Kindness Meter , Penticton, BC
2013 Arts in Medicine-Instructor- Cross Cancer Institute-Edmonton, AB
2009-2013 Visual Art Studio Association (VASA) St. Albert AB. Board member
2000-2001 Jasper Culture and Recreation Board member, Jasper AB.
Galleries
Martin Street Gallery, 205 Martin St. Penticton BC www.martinstreetgallery.com
Picture This Gallery. 133 Westminster Ave, Penticton BC.
Artist Statement
When I put paint to paper it’s like the start of an adventure, a road trip. I enjoy the anticipation of hitting the wide open paper, I pack my imagination and grab my vision and start the creative journey. The watercolour painting process, like an excursion, can sometimes take me down some unexpected routes, at times bringing to light some wonderful sights and other times forcing me to ask for directions. The mystery of the journey is what keeps me hooked. Like a vacation I begin by thoroughly planning my paintings almost rehearsing in my mind the route I will take. This allows me to be very aware of my paint application while at the same time immersing myself in the spontaneous nature of water media. Learning to go with the flow, finding joy in the twists and turns of the trip and even getting lost all provide me with a thrill! If I reach the destination in my art work that’s great but the important thing is to enjoy the ride!
2017 Mastering Acrylics Workshop-David Langevin
2013 Oil/Acrylic workshop- Alan Wylie-Oliver BC
2009 Drawing course - Xin Yu Zheng- Edmonton, AB
2008 Watercolor workshop- Tom Lynch
2001 Watercolor Workshop- Jack Reid
1999 Watercolor Workshop- David Keiler
1997 Business of Art & the Art of Business, Rowles & Co Edmonton,AB.
1996 Watercolor Workshop-Greg Johnson
1977-80 Bachelor of Science- Concordia University(Montreal Que)