Dianna Cates Dunn » About the Artist
Speaking Relatively
.... art forms life
Dianna has been living the past 30 years in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Having had lengthy affairs with both music and theatre, she graduated from Weber University with a Theatre design degree. In her early career she worked as a theatre consultant and interior designer before mid-life illness and crisis turned her to pursuing a full-time painting career in 1999. Her works often utilize modern symbolism with her paintings ranging from abstract and relational to a humorous and warm commentary on life.
The recipient of many awards that include the 2017 Silver Award for best gift book of the year from the Independent Book Publishers Association for her book "The Truths of Tula - A Muse and Her Artist", the TOSCA Magazines 2015 Colorado Artist of the Year and the Founders Award from the Colorado Watermedia Society. Her works have also been featured in “The Art of Layering: Making Connections”, “American Art Collector, Book 2”, “Art Buzz 2008” and Luxe Magazine 2011.
Of her work, she formulates: Creation of art + viewing of art = relationship
Relationship is more than an optional experience to the human condition; it is its essence. On an internal level we continually seek a balance relationship between our mind, our body, and our spirit. What ever balance we do accomplish there is the platform from which we pursue any external relationships. By illuminating small emotions, intimate feelings, and forsaken yearnings my work strives to allow tender memories to be stirred and inner connection to be made. In allowing the inherent ability of a line, a shape, or a color to speak for a complexity that defies verbal expression, each painting becomes a visual treatise – or ‘voice’- that initiates communications and, hopefully, Relationship.
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About her style......
As an artist rooted in the realm of abstraction, her work has evolved to embrace abstract realism. This approach allows viewers to recognize familiar or 'real' elements within a piece, though excessive details are intentionally withheld. Exaggerated colors, forms, and patterns are present, yet they remain open to interpretation. Her works still oscillate between pure abstraction and abstract realism, depending on her mood. With her aim to let a relaxed, joyful, and unique spirit infuse each painting, playfulness is evident. Additionally, strong lines and intriguing compositional design elements are found in her pieces. She calls herself "an emotional painter who works from the inside out." Emotions and feelings must be stimulated before a creation can truly manifest
Some of the techniques that can be found in Dianna's paintings are:
1. individually created collage papers, used in many of her works.
2. Experimentation with mixed media, comprising acrylic, oil, collage, and gilding.
3. Bold color palettes and textural elements.
Through this multi-faceted approach, Dianna's aim ia to produce art that is both deeply personal, and yet, universally resonant, allowing each viewer to engage in their own interpretative journey.
