Artist Statement
My entire working life after art school has been in many avenues of the “art business”.
I have worked as a lead lighter and lead light teacher, wood carver of boat name plates, sign writer, advertising/graphic artist, wedding photographer, picture framer, photo retoucher, art teacher, Australian award-winning face painter and body artist, and of course…artist/painter!
Ever since I was old enough to hold a pencil, art has been my consuming passion and I wanted only to “be an artist”.
I see inspiration everywhere and try to delineate the idea of multitudinous facets of nature working together in harmony without man’s intervention.
For me, art is about Love and about looking beyond the outward physical sense of things …to see the spiritual qualities that these things symbolise in order to find added meaning, as material life without spiritual depth feels superficial to me. Our mental environment affects our physical environment so for me, it’s essential to be aware of my thoughts and their direction and to look beyond the outward physical sense of things towards ideas instead. I knew a Vietnamese monk who was a famous sculptor and when I asked him why he thought artists have an intense need to create, he replied, ”Because the bee must make honey”!
I love that statement! I actively search out ideas that are special and beautiful in all things to share that with you…and because “the bee must make honey!”
My aim with my work is to express positive concepts about life and to uplift and magnify my own and others’ consciousness to an awareness of the good and the beautiful, the intricate and the magnificent, the finite and the infinite nature of our universe, seen and unseen.
Diane Williamson
“If artists don’t bring the beauty and harmony of the world to our attention, who will?”
Background
- 17 years experience as a graphic artist in corporate advertising.
- Photo retoucher and airbrush artist specialising in archival and antique images 23 years . (1981-2001) One of only three in Victoria at that time.
- Wedding photography – 8 years.
- Leadlight artist , teacher and designer – 10 years.
- Professional Picture Framer – 27 years.
- Face and Body Artist since 2005 (www.facepaintinglady.com)
- Self-taught Artist / Painter since forever, but exhibiting since about 2001
Community Involvement
- Face Painting at community festivals and private functions.
- Founding member of The Dare Group artists in Mount Waverley
- Committee member of The Highway Gallery.
- Teacher adult art classes at Waverley Learning Centre, Kerry Road, Community House and Amaroo House.
- Committee member Oak Hill Gallery.
- Committee member and active member of Peninsula Studio Trail
Diane is also an award winning Face and Body Artist. Visit the Face Painting Lady website.