About
Diana's Studio
Welcome to my online studio.
Aristotle summed things up rather well when he wrote that "the aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance."
Artists who inspire me include Rembrandt, Caravaggio, Velàzquez, Picasso, Van Gogh, Ilya Repin, Tamara de Lempicka, Frida Kahlo, Evelyn de Morgan and Artemisia Gentileschi.
I paint to communicate the way that I experience and interpret the world around me. Portraits have always inspired and fascinated me. Sometimes, my Grandfather would paint my portrait so I know how it feels to be the subject too. I happily watched him for hours as he worked in his studios in England and Spain, mixing the paints and glazes, and talking about the artists that inspired him. Alongside my commissions I portray family, friends, and other people that interest me, in places that I know well and in natural light, often with strong contrasting shadows, and the portrait will take shape in my mind before it takes shape on the canvas.
As a teenager, I remember sitting for my Grandfather whilst my Grandmother painted flowers. She also created decoupage and pictorial scenes using wild flowers that she collected and dried, an art form that the Japanese call oshibana. My Grandparents often worked together and they were a great combination. My Grandmother's creations made a distraction for the portrait sitters as they observed her at work, and this resulted in their being less self conscious and fidgety!
I carry on the portraiture tradition inspired by my grandparents. My grandfather spent a period of time lecturing in Florence at the British Institute of Fine Art. His palette, glazes and sight/size technique were tied into the historic art tradition of the region. I too have studied in Florence and the techniques used are the same today. Whilst this is a starting point for my work, my paintings are also modern and contemporary.
When painting a portrait I aim to capture the essence of the sitter, their individuality and uniqueness whilst bridging the gap between the past the present and the future. I try to create a work of art that is relevant and enduring, hopefully powerful and timeless.My paintings are both objective and subjective. They are realist but also expressive and there is often a psychological or spiritual perspective. Hopefully, I create an emotional intensity which touches the essence of humanity itself. I seek to reveal the story of my subjects character and their lived experiences which are imparted by their expressions, their emotions and legacies.
I am also inspired by nature and the beauty of the natural world. I paint landscapes and wildlife, particularly lions, tigers and leopards. These magnificent creatures are stunningly powerful and many of their species are now critically endangered. So, I paint large scale portraits to draw attention to their plight.
After a series of paintings based on observation, I often create an abstract painting. The abstract work relates to the colours and shapes from the series. My abstract work is a wonderful way to play with shape, line, tone, colour, pattern and form, as well as light and dark contrasts.
I also create sculptural work. These can be bold and dynamic. The human form is also a source of inspiration for my sculptural creations.
As an artist I reject the concept of the artist's obligation to maintain a single and cohesive style. Creativity involves experimentation and innovation. I believe that as life evolves so too does one's artistic interpretation and journey. Different subjects, different environments, and different times, will elicit a different reaction. It is vital to allow creative inspiration to flourish fully, and for me this involves the freedom to paint in a style that suits the subject, time or mood. I consider my general style to be that of an abstract realist. My work is often painterly and bold. I use a variety of mediums but predominantly oil paints, acrylics, gold and silver leaf. My big cat paintings often include diamond dust, which symbolises the precious rarity of these beautiful and endangered species.
All of the work that I create will have been inspired by my connection to a person, an environment, flora and fauna, and on some occasions the inspiration will be guided via an event, a memory or a dream. My creative process brings me great joy when i feel that a painting has fully expressed my intention. I would like to think that owning a piece of artwork created by me will bring you joy too.
My work can be found in private collections in the UK, the US, France, Italy, Greece, and Germany. Some of my paintings are also available through Saatchi Art online. If you would like to commission an artwork or, to arrange an exhibition, please do get in touch.
Diana Fosbery
