DIANA'S STUDIO

You don't have to wait for an artist to ask if you'd like to be painted. Although, if this happens, be flattered, and consider it an honour, because it means that something about you has inspired a creative spark! Enrico from Pisa by Diana (2016) A portrait will endure the test of time. In our age of mass consumerism and the instant "selfie" it's good to have something more considered and constant. In 2020, people commission portraits for a multitude of reasons. In no partic

The oldest known portrait drawing is estimated to be about 27 000 years old, and was discovered in a cave near Angoulême, Western France. It is drawn in black calcium carbonate and uses the relief of the cave wall to help give form to the face. There are two short horizontal lines for the eyes, one of which connects to the long vertical nose line. The mouth is also a short horizontal line. The portrait compares to the abstract works of Picasso and Mondrian pictured below. The

On my many trips to Paris, home of the Mona Lisa, I have found it intriguing to discover that the French are disinclined to consider modern portraiture. Paintings of their homes and beloved pets, certainly, but a painting of themselves, "Non"! They will happily acquire many other genres too, but mention the possibility of a portrait and even the most self assured become coy and self conscious. Is it because the French associate portraiture with the most famous portrait in the

Most people already appreciate the importance of listening to music as a means to help express feelings and moods but are perhaps less aware that art can have a similar effect. It is common knowledge that music can be motivational when we exercise. It can relax us when we're tired or stressed, and can uplift us when we're feeling sad. When we listen to music from our past, even our recent past, it can help us to reminisce about events, people, places and emotions. Art can do