We are all artists in one way or another, but to me art is a way of living.
When I am not creating art, I am often thinking about something relating to a painting that I working on, or a painting that I hope to do someday. Some paintings take many, many hours of intensive labor, while others just seem to flow out of me.
I have always been extremely visually oriented. I notice and remember visually many things that most people would not be interested in, or would never remember. This is the way God made me, so I am happy to be able to do something that I am well suited for.
Not much can beat being able to do something I am passionate about and having other
people enjoy my art in their homes or places of business. It is very rewarding to hear how my art has effected people who either own my work or who have seen it in a setting
such as a hospital.
Indiana Skies, Pastel.
This is one of many such scenes that I often see on cloudy days here in Northern Indiana. I never tire of bright blue skies with a scattering of clouds that create a covering of deep shadows and brilliant patches of light on the earth as far as the eye can see. The light, shadows and changes that occur in the landscape from day to day have always facinated me. The intricacies and precision of God's design both in nature and in human beings cause me to stand in awe of Him every time I am making art based on His creation.
Besides doing artwork I love spending time with family, friends and my dogs. Tucker, our Welsh Corgi is always by my side when I am at home. He is like a two year old in many ways, but loyal to a fault!
Biography
Background:
My formal art education came from Indiana University South Bend. Five years as a non-traditional student were dedicated to learning and experiencing as much as possible about anything relating to art. I was mentored by the Fine Art Department Head, Alan Larkin. Additionally professors Ron Monsma and Tuck Langland played a key role in my development as both a painter and sculptor.
Toward the end of my art education at IUSB I was finally able to take a landscape painting class with one of my favorite professors, Ron Monsma. That same summer I also got involved with Indiana Plein Air Painters Association and took a plein-air painting workshop with Robert Eberle. The result was a substantial change in my painting techniques. Since that time I have been slowly evolving toward loose brush work, something that does not come naturally to me at all!
In June of 2006 I opened Sycamore Fine Arts in the Old Bag Factory in Goshen, Indiana. It has been a wonderfully fulfilling experience, yet it also has cut significantly into my Plein-Air Painting time. Even though I paint with Indiana Plein Air Painter's Association when I am able to, now my painting is normally done at the gallery. I move between traditional studio work and differing levels of abstraction. I hope you enjoy visiting my web site. Please check back for upcoming events and new work that I will post when it is available.
Where to find Diane's work:
The Castle Gallery
1202 West Wayne Street
Fort Wayne, IN 46802
260.426.6568
http://www.castlegallery.com
Circa Arts
528 E. Colfax Ave.
South Bend, IN 46617
574-233-8400
http://www.circaartsgallery.com/
The Hoosier Salon
714 E. 65th St.46220
Indianapolis, IN
www.hoosiersalon.org
Sycamore Fine Arts
The Old Bag Factory
1100 Chicago Ave. Suite #7
Goshen, IN
www.sycamorefinearts.com
www.oldbagfactory.com
Selected Exhibits and Awards
Nov. 2008, Peace on Earth Art Exhibit, 40 person exhibit, Sycamore Fine Arts
Oct. 2008, 3rd place, Elkhart Art League Annual Competition, Elkhart, IN
Sept. 2008, Meditations Art Exhibit, 3 person exhibit, Sycamore Fine Arts
March 2008, Solo Exhibit: Morris Performing Arts Center, South Bend, IN
Nov. 2007, Person to Person, 2 person exhibit with Alan Larkin, Sycamore Fine Arts
July 2006, Hoosier Salon, Annual statewide competition, Indianapolis, IN
Oct. 2005, Purchase Award, Midwest Museum Annual Competition, Elkhart, IN
Aug. 2005, Best of Show, $1000 purchase award, sponsored by the Indianapolis Art Council, Garfield Park Plein-air paint-out, Indianapolis, IN
Nov. 2003, Best of Show, Elkhart Art League Fall Competition, Elkhart, IN
Solo Exhibit: Heartland Artists Gallery, Plymouth, IN
Selected Collections that hold Diane's work:
Insights Strategic Concepts, Elkhart, IN
Goshen Hospital, 6 pieces for their new lobby area, Goshen, IN
Lakeland Regional Health Systems, St. Joseph, MI
Garfield Park, Burello Family Center, Indianapolis, IN
Warrick, and Boyn Law Firm, Elkhart, IN
Richard Day Construction, Plymouth, IN
Eck and Associates, Plymouth, IN
Numerous Private Collections
Peace on Earth Exhibit, At Sycamore Fine Arts, Nov. 7 - Jan. 20, 2008. This was a very special exhibit that was a huge undertaking on my part. I never could have pulled everything together without the help of my dear husband, Tim, my father, Art and my son Kenneth. There were 40 professional artists who had work in the show, and also nearly 200 area school children created cards with images of peace, that are being distributed to school children in other countries.
The sculpture on the top of this page was in the exhibit and the oil painting at the bottom of this page was also. Additionally I was very pleased to have Art-to-Art Palette Journal choose my painting and poem to grace the back cover of their annual print edition. This is the poem that I wrote to go along with the painting:
What If?
What if you were me?
What if you were born into my family?
What if your eyes would see what my eyes have seen?
Or what if I was you?
What if I was born in your family?
What if my eyes would see what your eyes have seen?
Then perhaps-
I would understand you and you would understand me!
~Diane Overmyer
Upcoming Events and Exhibits
Upcoming Workshops
Other Web Pages that Diane Overmyer Recommends you visit
(These pages are not necessarily about Diane Overmyer)
l.jpg "Photo of Diane Overmyer")
