Artist of the Month April 2012

Diane Morgan

Indian Wells, CA

Diane Morgan holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from the University of Michigan, with a major in Design. Formally trained in oils she now also paints with watercolor and enjoys the challenges each medium presents. Her paintings have won numerous awards including many Firsts, Best of Show and Best Local Artist. Diane is president of the Coachella Valley Watercolor Society, a member of Oil Painters of America, the California Art Club, the International Guild of Realism, the American Watercolor Society, the Transparent Watercolor Society of America, Watercolor West, and an award-winning member of the National Watercolor Society.  Her work has been featured in nearly every major art magazine including American Art Collector, International Artist, Southwest Art, American Artist, the Artist Magazine and Watercolor Artist. With subjects as diverse as vintage autos, still lifes, florals and vignettes from her world travels, her audience includes the California Senate, the Palm Springs International Airport, museums and galleries in California, Colorado, Kansas, Massachusetts, Missouri, Ohio, Texas, Virginia and Wyoming and private collections across the United States and Canada.

How and when did you start creating art?

I've been creating art ever since I can remember. My first recollection is of drawing portraits of family members. I didn't realize that art was something you could do for a living until I was a junior in college. I changed from a language major to art at that time and it was the best decision I ever made.

What media and genres do you work in?

I work in oil and watercolor and paint still lifes, landscapes, and car portraits.

Who or what are your influences?

I am partial to realistic painters and particularly admire Leonardo da Vinci and Georgia O'Keeffe. Leonardo was a genius with a curiosity about everything. I love how Georgia took a subject and focused in closely to create an almost abstract appearance.

Raindrops on Roses: 
I always have a camera with me and shoot thousands of images each year. Last year I downloaded over 14,000 images. During one of my daily walks I came across this beautiful rose, covered with water drops. I couldn't wait to paint it. The painting began as a study of a flower, but I knew that the real areas of interest were the water droplets and how their various colors and shadows interacted with the flower. I cropped the image in really close to make the rose seem larger than life. The strong shadows give it an almost other-worldly quality.

Describe your creative process?

I envision a painting in almost everything I see. Adding drama and mystery through the use of powerful lighting effects, reflected surfaces, exaggerated contrasts and unusual compositions, I strive to transform simple everyday life into un-ordinary, not-so-still life. I like to take an ordinary subject and enhance the perception of it, invite the viewer to take a closer look. If you look closer, experience something in a different light, you may discover something new about yourself. I love how the medium takes command of the artist. The artist starts the process, but the paint takes charge and leads the work to a sometimes unintended outcome. It’s always exhilarating!

What are you working on currently?

What are you working on currently? I'm working on many things. I try to do a small painting everyday, usually a still life in oil. I always have one or two watercolors going at any given time. Because there is waiting time between washes it's good to work on more than one at a time. I also have a series going of paintings of bees to bring attention to the current crisis of collapsing colonies. I just recently began teaching and found that I love it. It's so rewarding to have people be so happy that they can actually create a painting...especially when they didn't think they could. The three or four classes a week challenge me to continually find new and interesting subjects for my students, and is actually making me a better painter.

What are your near/long term goals as an artist?

My goal is to continue to grow and improve. I challenge myself to always paint something every day and to continue to help others reach their goals as artists.

Where can people view/purchase your work (gallery, website, etc)?

My work is represented by Danskin Galleries in Palm Desert, CA and by Artspresso Art Gallery in Idyllwild, CA It is also available through my website <a href="http://www.dianemorganpaints.com"> http://www.dianemorganpaints.com</a>.