Diane Yousouf
Artist Name: | Diane Yousouf |
Main Focus: | Art Group |
Usual Style: | Contemporary |
Usual Medium: | Acrylic |
Art Groups: | Drummoyne Art Society Oatley 101 Society of Artists Pastel Society of Victoria |
State: | New South Wales |
Exhibits Art: | Yes |
Online Sales: | Yes |
Tuition: | No |
Commissions: | Yes |
Background
As a child Diane was always drawing and painting. She achieved First Level Art in High School. After an interesting career in Science and laboratory work, Diane studied art with Linda Simonis from 2003 to 2015 as well as attending workshops and demonstrations with local and international artists. Today, Diane is a Sydney based Contemporary Artist working in oils, acrylics, soft pastels and watercolour.
The distinctive Australian light is the inspiration for many of her paintings. Diane's works are held in private collections in Australia and overseas.
Diane held various positions on the committee of Bankstown Art Society. These included being the society Social Secretary and the Bankstown Art Society's delegate to the Combined Art Societies of Sydney committee. She was the Vice President and Secretary for the Bankstown Art Society for three years. Holding these positions with BAS provided a wonderful opportunity to support the BAS members and promote the society within the local community.
Diane is currently an exhibiting member with the Combined Art Societies of Sydney, Oatley 101 Society of Artists, Friends of Campbelltown Regional Art Gallery, the Pastel Society of Victoria Australia and Drummoyne Art Society.
At the end of 2022 she accepted the role as Exhibition Manager with the Combined Art Societies of Sydney (CASS). In early 2023 CASS held their first physical exhibition in nearly three years. The following are some observations about this exhibition.
After many years holding their Annual Exhibition in the Terrace Room of the Australian National Maritime Museum, The Combined Art Societies of Sydney had to find a new location to stage their annual exhibition for 2023. Art of Sydney went ahead on the last weekend of March in 2023. The new venue, the Prince Henry Centre in Little Bay, proved to be a very comfortable exhibition space. Mr Dennis Wilson, CASS Patron, attended the awards presentations and officially Opened the exhibition. The members' paintings were of a high standard and there were many visitors to the show. Despite some difficulties adjusting to a new location, the Art of Sydney 2023 was a successful event. This was achieved because of the hard work of the CASS committee, the members who volunteered their time and the participating artists who provided such a wonderful variety of artworks and of course, the support of the public.
In 2023 the Combined Art Societies of Sydney held several events, many for the first time. This includes an exhibition at Gallery ONE88 in Katoomba in July and another at the Lavender Bay Gallery of the Royal Art Society of NSW in August. In October, CASS also held three weekends of art workshops in the Community Hall, Kandos NSW. Kandos is in regional NSW and is close to the towns of Rylestone and Mudgee. These are new initiatives from CASS and they have met with some success. An exciting end of year activity for CASS will be an online sale of artworks running from 1st December to the end of January.
Influences and Inspiration
Diane finds inspiration in the natural world and by the art of the Impressionists (the French and the Australian Heidelberg School). Claude Monet and Arthur Streeton are particular favourites. I also enjoy studying artworks by my contemporaries. YouTube videos can be a great source of inspiration, especially during the COVID lockdowns.
At the moment I am reading Jean Haines book "Atmospheric Watercolours".
My goal is to develop as an artist and I am interested in loose atmospheric styles. Although I do find contemporary and abstract works amazing too. So I regularly visit the MCA and the NSW Galleries here in Sydney.
Qualifications
Diane attended Linda Simonis' art studio in Carramar for many years. Also she has attended workshops and demonstrations with experienced artists in various mediums and styles. Artists whose workshops Diane attended include Cathy Harry (Acrylics), Catherine Hamilton (Pastels) and Jacky Pearson and Joe Cartwright (Watercolours) and many more. The teachers at Bankstown Art Society have also been wonderful including Glenda Carter (Contemporary) and Richard Porter (Drawing).
I enjoy sharing painting activities with other artists. My philosophy is that we are continuously learning and developing as artists, as in all things.
Training
Studied in Sydney – Acrylics – Oils – Pastels – Tutor LINDA SIMONIS, Drawing – Tutor RICHARD PORTER, Contemporary art – Tutor GLENDA CARTER
Watercolours - Tutor JOE CARTWRIGHT AND MARION CHAPMAN
Art Group Memberships
Memberships:
- Bankstown Art Society (BAS) – Vice President, Secretary & Newsletter Editor – Resigned May 2021
- Oatley 101 Society of Artists – Current Exhibiting Member
- The Combined Arts Societies of Sydney Inc. (CASS) – Current Exhibiting Member
- Friends of Campbelltown Art Centre – Current Exhibiting Member
- Pastel Society of Victoria, Australia – Current Exhibiting Member
- Drummoyne Art Society - Current Exhibiting Member
Exhibitions:
Art of Sydney, Prince Henry Centre, Little Bay
- Finalist - 2023
Capture Fairfield, Visual Arts & Photography Competition
- 2023 - Finalist
- 2022 - 3rd Place - Adult Section
- 2021 – 3rd Place – Adult Section
- 2020 – 1st Place Winner – Adult Section
Gallery ONE88, Katoomba, NSW
- CASS Exhibition – July 2022, August 2019
- My painting “Boars Head Lookout” features on the advertising poster for the 2022 Exhibition
Solo Exhibition: Incubate Gallery - Bankstown Art Centre
- September 2018
Australian National Maritime Museum, Sydney:
- Finalist – 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009 and 2008
- 2013 - Commended
- 2008 - Commended
Bankstown Art Society Exhibitions:
- 2019 – 1st Prize Winner – Australian Landscape Section
- 2015 - Commended & Finalist
- 2014 – 1st Prize Winner – “The Paceway Award”
- 2010 – Highly Commended
Parramatta Art Society Exhibitions:
- 2013 – 2nd Prize Winner – Acrylics - in Open Awards
Fisher’s Ghost Art Prize:
- Finalist – 2022, 2021, 2020,2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015 and 2011
Sydney Royal Easter Show Art Prize:
- Finalist – 2023, 2022, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2010, 2009 and 2008
Drummoyne Art Show:
- Finalist – 2023, 2021, 2019 and 2011
Diane Yousouf Acrylic Art Demonstrations:
- Bankstown Art Society - 2015, 2018 and 2020
Diane Yousouf Pen and Wash Art Demonstrations:
- Bankstown Art Society – 2019
Art Work in Private Collections:
Diane's artworks are held in private collections both here in Australia and overseas.
Awards & Achievements Include:
Awards:
Drummoyne Art Society Open Exhibition
- Finalist - 2023, 2022
CASS Art of Sydney - Prince Henry Centre
- 2023 - Finalist
Capture Fairfield, Visual Arts & Photography Competition
- 2023 - Finalist - Adult Section
- 2022 - 3rd Place - Adult Section
- 2021 – 3rd Place – Adult Section
- 2020 – 1st Place Winner – Adult Section
Gallery ONE88, Katoomba, NSW
- CASS Exhibition – July 2023, July 2022, August 2019
- My painting “Boars Head Lookout” features on the advertising poster for the 2022 Exhibition
Australian National Maritime Museum, Sydney:
- Finalist – 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009 and 2008
- 2013 - Commended
- 2008 - Commended
Bankstown Art Society Exhibitions:
- 2019 – 1st Prize Winner – Australian Landscape Section
- 2015 - Commended & Finalist
- 2014 – 1st Prize Winner – “The Paceway Award”
- 2010 – Highly Commended
Parramatta Art Society Exhibitions:
- 2013 – 2nd Prize Winner – Acrylics - in Open Awards
Diane Yousouf Acrylic Art Demonstrations:
- Bankstown Art Society - 2015, 2018 and 2020
Diane Yousouf Pen and Wash Art Demonstrations:
- Bankstown Art Society – 2019
Facebook Address:
http://facebook.com/dianeyousoufContact the Artist
Please contact me via email.
Email Address
dianeyousouf@gmail.com
Phone Number:
0431471819