Background

Diane grew up in Berry on the beautiful South Coast of NSW. She was inspired by the magnificent scenery near her home town and enjoyed art classes at school.

Shortly after moving with her husband and 4 children from Sydney to Adelaide in 1978, she began a painting course (mainly oils) with Margie Sheppard and later took drawing classes at the Croydon TAFE where she continued for 4 years.

In 1983 Diane resumed her nursing career which involved tertiary education and it wasn’t until 1995 that she was able to again take up painting.

She enrolled at the Panorama TAFE and started a watercolour course with Arthur Phillips who also introduced her to pastels which have since become her preferred medium, although she dabbles in all media.

Diane says;  “I like my paintings to tell a story and so I enjoy painting people into my seascapes, landscapes and café and street scenes. Beach scenes are my favourite subject.  Recently I have also started to experiment with more abstract subjects and themes.”

Training

In addition to the Panorama TAFE course and the watercolour course with Arthur Phillips, Diane has also attended workshops and classes with Sylvia Preston, Trevor Newman, Margo Miles, Alan Ramachandran, Regina Hona, Max Wilkes, Ross Patterson, Barbara McManus, Terry Ludwig and many others.

On a recent holiday in the USA, Diane felt privileged to be able to attend a workshop with the very talented award winning artist Jennifer Evenhus who introduced her to a more abstract style.

Art Group Memberships

Pastel Artists of SA – Current President; former Vice-President and Treasurer. Committee member for 6 years.

Pastel Society of Victoria, Australia.

Royal South Australian Society of Arts.