BA graduate of the University of California at Santa Barbara, Diane Smith has been painting watercolors for the past ten years. She emphasizes the use of vivid color, strong value contrasts and composition to create striking images of subjects that are near to her heart. Her love of painting people can be seen in her series of family from the 50's and 60's and in her portrait work. She also paints still life and flowers. Diane has received several commissions and awards in juried shows.

Artist Statement: I love the sheer joy of using the medium of watercolor. I become totally absorbed in painting and enjoy creating images that are inspirational to other people. My current theme is painting people from photos of the 1950's and 60's. The moments of peoples' lives transcend time. We all share emotions--love, joy, anger, etc., and painting a moment can bring the viewer back to the experience of the people in the picture. My images symbolize the emotions and feelings we all have in common. People seem to relate to my paintings as if they were from their very own life experiences. I also paint still life and flowers.

Painting Technique: My paintings are vivid with strong color and images that are well defined yet oozing with paint--intertwining to make connections and pull you into every corner. Making sure the composition contains varying shapes and sizes, I make a pencil drawing and begin painting as the feeling moves me. I am careful to create images that have interesting value and composition and I paint around the page watching for balance. I have incorporated into my paintings a looseness that allows the media of watercolor to do what it does best--flow and mingle. I feel as if the creative process almost flows through me and some of my best paintings come when I allow the page to speak to me! Since reading these words from author and painter Henry Miller, my motto has been-- "Paint as you like and die happy." Painting will always be a part of my life and a source of satisfaction and enjoyment.