Wow, did January seem long to you? It sure did for me, so I’ll keep this short and jump in to this month’s update!
Behind the Art: One big reason I paint the way I do
People often ask me why or how I choose subjects to paint. Why all the wild things? Why all the nature? There are a lot of reasons, but one of the biggest stems from my past.
You might not know this, but years ago, far from where I now live, I was a single mother and worked as a bartender. I spent my days wrangling with busy waitresses and slinging drinks to patrons who sometimes sat at the bar all day telling me jokes I didn’t understand but pretended to laugh at — you have to get tips somehow, right?
This was back in the bad old days when people could still smoke in bars. Often, the air was thick with thin, blue smoke and the place smelled like the bottom of a well-used ashtray. There were no windows and I didn’t know if it was day or night or if it were sunny or raining outside.
Is it any wonder that when I had a day off I wanted to head for the woods? Hiking in the forest I found a wonderful escape from the tight, smoky confines of the bar. I could breathe, I could see the sky and I felt reinvigorated. I felt so good doing this that I often invited other people — sometimes customers from the bar — to come hiking with me. What can I say? I’m a social person and I like to share!
Although I no longer work in a bar, I still love to get out into nature, breathe the clean air and take in the beautiful sights.
I like to think my love for nature comes through in my art — in the wild creatures I choose to paint, whether they are moose, bears, Bighorn sheep or birds.
How about you? Do you love to get out in nature? Let me know! Maybe we can go hiking sometime…
What am I working on now?
In January I took a bit of a detour, swinging away from painting large, wild animals to painting a lot of birds and a landscape. How could I not? Where I live I’m surrounded by mountains, and some days when the sun hits the peaks I’m captivated and just have to stop and watch. Small wonder something so big and beautiful should end up as a subject on one of my canvases!
As for the birds…honestly, I’ve sold most of the last set of birds I painted, so I wanted to create a new flock. All of the first set are still available as prints, of course, but it’s always fun to paint new birds. They’re one of my favourite subjects — especially the bright, colourful ones!
Watch my social media channels and my website — I should have most of my new pieces posted in a few days.
Thank you for reading my update newsletter! Get in touch if you have questions, feedback or want to talk.
If you know anyone who would enjoy or benefit from the content in this newsletter please forward it to them. And be sure to visit me online:
Website: dianaskelhorne.com
Youtube: Make Art With Diana
Instagram: @dianaskelhorneartist
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