L. Diane Johnson, PSA PAP-SE ISAP, celebrates her 30th year as a professional painter and well-known instructor. She began as a classical oil and soft pastel portraitist, and for the last 25 years has concentrated her efforts in landscape painting. After painting for some time in a highly realistic style, she changed her palette and handling of the paint, which brought more life and color to her subjects.
Thus her work bridges both Impressionism and Realism, offering greater flexibility depending on the treatment she wants to apply to any given scene.
Diane is a full member of the Pastel Society of America (PSA), Plein Air Painters of the South East (PAP-SE), Plein Air Painters of Hawaii (PAPOH), and many more. In the late 1980s she was selected as one of the top 100 emerging artists in the U.S., by American Artist magazine; and in 1990 was rated one of the top 10 “Best Buys” for investment art by The Roanoker magazine — her art has proved to be a solid choice for collectors.
She has received numerous awards for her work; was invited to participate in the first White House Conference on Culture and Diplomacy, and participated in a worldwide tour exhibition with the organization, International Plein Air Painters.
Diane’s work has been eagerly accepted by corporate and private collectors on an international scale.
She is a native of New Jersey, and has lived in Ohio, Connecticut, Maryland and Virginia. She now lives with her husband in North Carolina.
FOR MANY YEARS I had enjoyed a career as a portraitist, along with painting still life and landscapes from my studio. Then, I discovered the incredible exhilaration of capturing landscapes live, outdoors. By working directly on location, I connected more deeply with my surroundings allowing me to authentically capture the essence of each subject. I felt more at one with the land, architecture and people which provided a richer personal creative experience and more exciting works.
In addition to painting throughout the U.S., I’ve had the opportunity to paint abroad in France, Italy and the United Kingdom. The experience has been nothing short of profound. The landscape comes alive, as I work in the moment to grasp the fleeting light that defines the scenes before me.
As the instructor of several plein air workshops held in Claude Monet’s Garden in the village of Giverny, I can understand why Monet chose to paint in this one place for the last 40 years of his life yet he felt he could not exhaust its enduring beauty.
Each time I step outside, I am even more filled with the wonder of what God has created around us, for us. It is to Him that my art is dedicated.
EXHIBITION HIGHLIGHTS:
2011: Invitational Solo Exhibition: "Impressions - Plein Air & Studio Works", Liberty University Art Gallery, Lynchburg, VA, 9.22.11-11.5.11
2010: Solo Show: "Hats", The Little Gallery on Smith Mountain Lake, October 2-31
2010: Epcot Center, Walt Disney World, FL; Invitational live painting during Garden Festival Week
2010: Legacy Fine Arts Gallery, Group Show, High Springs, AR
2010: Cover of Country Register: Minnesota, Spring Issue
2009: Epcot Center, Walt Disney World, FL; Invitational painting during Garden Festival Week
2009: Leatherwood Paint Out Exhibition, Plein Air Painters of the South East
2008: World Tour of Contemporary Landscape Artists, The Link Gallery, Door County, WI
2008: World Tour of Contemporary Landscape Artists, Terrace Gallery, Orlando, FL
2008: World Tour of Contemporary Landscape Artists, Old School House Art Center, Vancouver, BC, CA
2008: Epcot Center, Walt Disney World, FL; Invitational
2008: World Tour of Contemporary Landscape Artists, The Cultural Arts Council of Estes Park Fine Art Gallery, Estes Park, CO
2008: "Azaleas", The Little Gallery on Smith Mountain Lake, Moneta, VA, Dual Show, May-June
2008: Plein Air Painters of the South East, Anderson Gallery, St. Simons Island, GA
2008: Second Annual Members Show, Plein Air Painters of Hawaii, Maui Hands Gallery, Paia, Maui, HI
2007: World Tour of Contemporary Landscape Artists, St. Augustine, FL
2007: Epcot Center, Walt Disney World, FL; Invitational
2007: World Tour of Contemporary Landscape Artists, Karpeles Museum, Newburg, NY
2006: Epcot Center, Walt Disney World, FL; Invitational
2006: 4th Annual Worldwide Paint Out; Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada
2006: 13th Annual Carmel Art Festival, CA;Juried Paint Out & Exhibition
2005: Callaway Gardens Exhibition, GA; Group
2005: International Society of Acrylic Painters, WA; Juried Exhibition
2005 - 1987: The Little Gallery, Moneta, VA; Dual/Group: many
2004: SunTrust Bank Exhibition, FL; Group
2003: Best of America, National Oil & Acrylic Painter’s Society Juried Exhibition
2003, 2000, 1995: The Little Gallery, Moneta, VA; Solo shows
2003: Southern Ladies Art Conference, GA; Group
2002: Art Alliance of Florida, Gainesville, FL; Group
2001: Art On A Mission, Roanoke, VA.; Solo
1997: Warm Springs Gallery, Warm Springs, VA; Dual/Group: many
1996: Sakias, Lynchburg, VA; Solo
1994: Maymont Foundation, Richmond, VA; Group
1993: McClendon Fine Art, Washington D.C.; Solo
1992, 1998: Gallery 3, Roanoke, VA; Solo; Group: many
1991, 1989, 1985: Lynchburg Area Art Show, Lynchburg, VA; Solo & Group
Many more prior to 1985
SELECTED COLLECTIONS:
Ethyl Corporation
Coopers & Lybrand
Central Fidelity Bank
Carillion Health System
Wachovia Bank & Trust
Optical Cable Corporation
Gentry Locke Rakes & Moore
Helene Fuld Medical Center
Roanoke Regional Airport
San Diego Spine Center
Dominion Bank
R.J. Reynolds
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